STCHA Submits Independent White Paper to Alamogordo City Commission: In-Depth Analysis of City Manager Finalists with Pros, Cons, Methodology, and Alignment with Organizational Mission for Transparent, Stable Leadership

Alamogordo, New Mexico – February 10, 2026 – The Southwestern Trails Cultural Heritage Association (STCHA), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization operating KALH Radio and AlamogordoTownNews.org, has formally submitted its comprehensive white paper titled “White Paper: Evaluating Alamogordo’s City Manager Finalists – A Transparent Path to Stable Leadership” to the Alamogordo City Commission for inclusion in the public record of tonight’s regular meeting at 6:30 PM.

The document, accessible via Google Drive at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WqvIThyVGDQ5-Al0na0iW4HHx8earNYk/view?usp=drivesdk, serves as an independent, unbiased analysis of the three primary finalists in the ongoing city manager search: Theogene “Theo” Melancon, David A. Vela, ICMA-CM, and Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez.

It addresses the city’s decade-long leadership instability (at least seven turnovers since 2015), which has contributed to stalled infrastructure, utility rate hikes, employee morale (~330 staff), economic challenges, and diminished public trust in transparency and open governance in a community of approximately 32,000 residents shaped by Holloman Air Force Base, atomic history, and diverse demographics.

The white paper underscores the city manager’s critical role in overseeing an $80–95 million budget, implementing commission policies, managing departments, and advancing priorities in public safety, economic development, and resident services. Poor selection risks perpetuating dysfunction, legal vulnerabilities (e.g., bias claims), and stagnation, while strong leadership can restore morale, attract grants, and build partnerships.

Methodology

STCHA outlines a rigorous, multi-faceted approach to ensure factual accuracy, balance, and merit-based evaluation:

• Comprehensive review of candidates’ professional records from public resumes, media investigations, court documents, and IPRA-sourced materials from a variety of sources.

• Broad web/media searches for overviews; targeted browsing of official sites/reports for primary data.

• Semantic/keyword searches for real-time community sentiment and chronological events.

• Cross-referencing achievements (including quantitative elements like budget trends via data analysis where applicable).

• Incorporation of diverse stakeholder viewpoints (e.g., resident petitions, ethics complaints) to avoid bias and counter opacity or “good ole boy” influences.

This layered method—blending qualitative synthesis with tool-assisted verification—prioritizes transparency, inclusivity, and relevance to Alamogordo’s context, aligning directly with STCHA’s mission (founded in 2005 as KALHRadio.org’s operating entity) of preserving Southwestern cultural legacies through ethical governance, public policy advocacy, community empowerment, transparent decision-making, media-facilitated dialogue, and addressing issues like civic equity and economic vitality in small Southwestern towns.

Candidate Analyses: Pros and Cons

The report provides in-depth professional histories for each finalist, with balanced pros and cons derived from verified sources:

• Theogene “Theo” Melancon (J.D., M.P.A., ICMA-CM; former City Manager, Dickinson, TX, 2021–2025; prior roles in Dayton, TX, and Louisiana):

Pros include credentials in public administration, experience in financial stabilization, department creation, and project negotiations

Cons dominate due to multiple controversies: mishandling of the Creekside Apartments public health crisis (sewage/mold issues, displacements, lawsuits, alleged premeditated condemnation for redevelopment, questionable expenses, blight, and bankruptcy); 2022 domestic violence arrest (charges dropped); 2025 ICMA ethics complaint during Navasota, TX candidacy leading to withdrawal; high turnover; financial/legal strains; and divisive leadership perceptions. The analysis warns of substantial risks to Alamogordo’s stability, trust, and operations if selected.

• David A. Vela, ICMA-CM (nearly 9 years as City Manager in Sweetwater, TX ~2016–2025; brief Odessa, TX role in 2025; prior deputy/interim positions; education from UT Austin and Texas State):

Pros feature extensive municipal experience (20+ years), long stable tenures, community transformation successes, strategic initiatives, credentialed status, and responsive engagement (e.g., detailed responses to inquiries)

Cons are minimal/balanced, with emphasis on strong fit for transparency and similar community needs (e.g., military ties).

• Dr. Stephanie Hernandez (Acting City Manager; lifelong Alamogordo resident; Ph.D.; ~27 months in assistant/acting roles since ~2020):

Pros highlight local knowledge, continuity amid turnover, fiscal corrections/performance-based budgeting, grant securing, infrastructure advances (e.g., MainStreet, water plans), public safety enhancements, workforce development, military community ties, and strong resident support

Cons are described as minimal, with no major scandals noted beyond search dynamics, positioning her as ideal for ending instability.

The document includes a recommendation for selection (detailed in full text), urging merit-driven choice favoring transparency and continuity to break the turnover cycle. It encourages public review of the linked white paper (with appendix sources) and input during tonight’s meeting to support informed, ethical governance.

This submission reinforces STCHA’s commitment to transparent community engagement and is offered for the public record to aid commissioners in delivering effective leadership for Alamogordo. Residents are encouraged to attend the 6:30 PM City Hall meeting, sign up for comment, and advocate for stability.

The full white paper provides source materials and further details for verification.
This published white paper adds to our portfolio of research and analysis to better educate and inform the public on the important leaders potential shaping our future.

More News from Alamogordo

• 352 Fire Declared Under Control: Final Update Issued as Containment Reaches 70% Quay County Fire update
• Commentary: Public Input Sought No Position Has Greater Influence on Alamogordo Government than City Manager Be at city hall at 630 let your voice be heard...