Spotlight Stamina Award” Local Independent Media Honors Mayor Payne’s Endurance Under Scrutiny in Final Meeting

Alamogordo, NM – December 17, 2025 – Outgoing Mayor Susan L. Payne’s final City Commission meeting on Tuesday evening blended official tributes, multiple mayoral commendations, and a satirical award from local independent 2nd Life Media underscoring the often contentious relationship between city leadership and aggressive independent community journalism during her four-year tenure.

The regular session at City Hall featured formal recognitions, including plaques presented to Mayor Payne and outgoing Commissioner Gutherie for their service. Payne herself presented several mayoral commendations and awards to community members—details of which are highlighted in a separate community spotlight story recognizing outstanding local contributions primarily around the F-14 Gateway Freedom Monument.

A standout moment occurred when journalist Chris Edwards from 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News (operating KRAZY KALH Radio and AlamogordoTownNews.org) presented Payne with a custom wooden plaque dubbed the “2nd Life Media Spotlight Stamina Award.” The inscription praised her for “enduring the relentless ink storms of 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News with poise, persistence, and just the right amount of eye-roll,” adding that “proving scrutiny is just another stage light.”

The award, accepted graciously amid smiles and applause, spotlighted years of intense coverage by the outlets—sometimes critical of city decisions, contracts, LEDA funding, Chamber effectiveness and transparency; other times supporting and encouraging especially around downtown MainStreet revitalization and stabilization of the city budget for infrastructure improvements. 

In her closing remarks, Mayor Payne reflected on her tenure, acknowledging the challenges of leading while facing a critical public and media scrutiny. She emphasized that no leader can please everyone but affirmed that she was leaving the city in significantly better shape than when she inherited it—citing advancements in infrastructure, public safety, sustainability, and economic partnerships. Payne extended special recognition to Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez for her hard work and steady guidance, to the department directors for their expertise, and to the Alamogordo Police Department and its chief and the fire chief for their unwavering dedication to community safety. She emphasized her pride in getting pay raises to police and fire personnel and her unwavering support to their efforts toward public safety. 

While no immediate public response emerged from commissioners or attendees, the presentation and remarks subtly echoed broader local and national political dynamics: a mix of appreciation for Payne’s consensus-building and infrastructure progress, budget leadership and small business growth during her tenure tempered by ongoing debates among local political leaders over transparency, public and media scrutiny and the role of independent media in a social media driven society

Incoming Mayor Sharon McDonald, who emphasized transparency in her campaign, amid calls for continued civic engagement is set to assume office on December 30th, 2025 with a public ceremonial swearing in on January 13th, 2026.

Other meeting actions included approvals for Fire Station 2 upgrades amongst a contentious discussion led by Commissioners Burnett and Rardon. Rardon abstained from the vote due to a potential conflict of interest that led to a rebid process. Burnett voted against the contract award questioning the rebid process. Other actions included solid waste rate adjustments, and the redevelopment designation specific to the plot of approximate 5 acres for the Patriot Point Apartment Complex, signaling steady governance transition.

The event encapsulated Payne’s legacy—marked by positive community impacts alongside the friction and how difficult public service can be on the political leader's family that comes with public life in a small town under watchful eyes, blistering keyboard warriors on social media and an independent media presence

We wish outgoing Mayor Payne the best of luck in her new role as civilian and a professor of civics at the university level in 2026. 

More News from Alamogordo

• Tularosa Village Board Focuses on Safety, Personnel, and Community Projects Tularosa Village Board convened this week - meeting highlights...
• Mayor Susan Payne Honors Unsung Heroes Behind Alamogordo’s Gateway Freedom Monument and Downtown Revitalization #AlamogordoProud recognizing those individuals that contribute to a better Alamogordo Community...