Alamogordo Town News Candidate Q&A: Vesta Sherrie Edmonds for City Commission District 5

As part of our coverage leading up to the February 19th community meet and greet and forum at Dudley School from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, Alamogordo Town News reached out to the four applicants for the Alamogordo City Commission District 5 seat. This position will be appointed by the 6 seated commissioners vote on Feb 24th. Let your voice be heard. 

Below is a comprehensive Q&A with candidate Vesta Sherri Edmonds, featuring her verbatim responses to our questions.

Citizens have a right to know the details on these candidates and are encouraged to attend the event, speak at public comments during the City Commission meeting on the 24th, and send letters or emails to champion who, in their opinion, best represents District 5.

Alamogordo Town News: How long have you lived in Alamogordo and specifically in District 5, and why do you want to serve on the City Commission at this time?

Mrs. Edmonds: I have been a permanent resident of Alamogordo and District 5 since July 2015, though my family roots here run much deeper. I was born and raised in Alamogordo, the daughter of a Holloman AFB civilian employee whose work with LandAir allowed our family to live in Maryland and California before I married a U.S. Marine and continued a life of service and mobility in Honolulu, Hawaii and Dallas, Texas. After raising my family and spending more than 35 years building a professional career in Oakland, California, I returned home in 2015 to care for my then 82-year-old mother, who is now 91 and still my daily responsibility.

Over the past decade back in District 5, I have walked these streets worked as a neighbor, organizer, and volunteer – co-leading annual cleanups, listening to families, and helping preserve the rich history of our Miami Street neighborhoods through the permanent Miami Street Experience exhibit I helped to create in 2025. My lifelong administrative career spanning over 40 years in corporate offices, law firms, ministries, and community organizations has taught me discipline, professionalism, and the importance of serving people with consistency and care.

I want to serve now because District 5 deserves steady, experienced representation that builds on the strong foundation that has already been laid. My life has been shaped by service whether supporting military families, caring for elders, or managing complex administrative responsibilities and I am ready to bring that same commitment to the commission. I will be a consistent, responsive voice for residents while working collaboratively with the city manager and commission to deliver tangible results, especially on infrastructure, roads, and fiscal stability.

Alamogordo Town News: What experience have you had with government in Alamogordo or elsewhere, and what other relevant professional, volunteer, educational, or life experiences help qualify you for this commissioner role?

Mrs. Edmonds: Beyond my civic work with cleanups, historical preservation and more, I also served on the 2023 Charter Review Committee. 

I bring over 40 years of administrative experience from corporate America, law offices, churches, and nonprofit ministries. My career began in junior high school through the CETA program in Oceanside, California, and grew into decades of administrative roles that required accuracy, confidentiality, financial stewardship, and strong communication. I have worked as a receptionist, customer service representative, accounts payable clerk, billing clerk, database manager, and office coordinator. My responsibilities have included maintaining records, managing contributions, preparing years end financial statements, creating brochures and programs, supporting a Women’s Conference across the country, and providing ongoing administrative support to attorneys, CPAs, and ministries.

For ten years I served full time at Center of Hope Community Church in Oakland, California, where I managed membership contributions, maintained databases, and served as registrar for our national women’s conferences. Today, in addition to being the primary caregiver for my 91-year-old mother, I work remotely for a California attorney, a CPA, and two ministries, and I serve as Church Secretary at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ here in Alamogordo.

These experiences - rooted in service, organization, accountability, and community have taught me how to listen, how to work with people from all walks of life, and how to deliver results through partnership rather than top down mandates. I am a lifelong learner who attends open forums and watches city operations so I can be an effective advisor to staff and a strong advocate for residents.

Alamogordo Town News: The commissioner role offers modest pay and places you—and potentially your family—under public and media scrutiny, including on social media. How have you prepared yourself and your family for that level of visibility, and how will you handle criticism or negative feedback from the media, residents, or online?

Mrs. Edmonds: My family fully supports my decision to serve, and we have already experienced public visibility through the cleanups and the Miami Street exhibit, which received positive local coverage. I am prepared to conduct myself with professionalism, transparency, and respect. Criticism comes with the job; I will listen to it, evaluate it against facts and resident needs, and respond calmly and constructively. I will not be bullied, but I also will not personalize attacks. My focus will remain on good governance, fiscal responsibility, and delivering results for District 5—especially safer roads, better infrastructure, and stable city leadership.

Alamogordo Town News: How familiar are you with the City of Alamogordo’s budget process and the City Charter? In the last 60 days, what specific steps have you taken to deepen your understanding of the charter and the budget development, adoption, and oversight procedures?

Mrs. Edmonds: I served on the 2023 Charter Review Committee and have since re-read the full charter document, paying special attention to the sections on commission powers, the city manager’s role, and fiscal procedures. In the last 60 days I have attended an open budget forum, reviewed the most recent adopted budget online, and scheduled a meeting with the Finance Director to gain a detailed walkthrough of the development, adoption, and oversight process. I understand the charter limits the commission to policy and oversight while the city manager handles day-to-day operations. My approach will be to ask informed questions, support data-driven decisions, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently—particularly on long-overdue infrastructure and road projects.

Alamogordo Town News: The city is presently engaged in ongoing contract negotiations with the police and fire unions concerning long-term contracts, benefits, and training. What are your thoughts on these negotiations, and how would you approach guiding city staff and the commission in reaching fair, sustainable collective bargaining agreements that balance employee needs with fiscal responsibility and public safety priorities?

Mrs. Edmonds: Public safety is non-negotiable. I support good-faith bargaining that shows respect for the men and women who protect us while remaining fiscally responsible. As a commissioner I would encourage the city manager and negotiating team to keep shared values—trust, fairness, transparency, and safety—at the center. My own experience coordinating large volunteer events has taught me that clear communication and mutual respect produce better outcomes. I will advocate for contracts that recruit and retain quality personnel without jeopardizing the city’s long-term financial health or diverting funds from critical infrastructure like roads and water systems.

Alamogordo Town News: Transparency and ethical governance have been major topics in recent commission meetings and public comments. What specific steps would you advocate for to increase openness in city operations, reduce reliance on executive sessions, and rebuild public trust?

Mrs. Edmonds: More public meetings, open forums, and neighborhood listening sessions. I would push to keep routine business in open session whenever possible and to post clear, timely agendas and minutes. My Charter Committee service showed me the value of firm deadlines and public accountability; the 60-day recommendation rule we helped pass is a good model. I will treat every issue with honesty and respect, because residents deserve to see their government working for them, not behind closed doors.

Alamogordo Town News: Alamogordo’s economy is heavily tied to Holloman Air Force Base. With ongoing military housing needs and projects like new family units breaking ground in 2026, what policies or partnerships would you prioritize to support base personnel, retention, and the local economy?

Mrs. Edmonds: I would prioritize clear, consistent communication with the base liaison and continued partnership on housing projects such as the Sendero Apartments scheduled for a 2026 groundbreaking. These military - focused, affordable units directly support retention and bring economic activity to Alamogordo. My own life experiences -growing up as the daughter of a Holloman civilian employee, living in multiple military connected communities, and being married to a U.S. Marine - gives me a personal understanding of the challenges military families face when relocating, finding housing, and building stability.

My decades of administrative work in diverse environments have taught me how to coordinate complex tasks, communicate across agencies, and support people with clarity and respect. I will use those skills to strengthen partnerships between the city, Holloman AFB, developers, and community organizations. I will advocate for policies that make our city welcoming good roads, reliable utilities, and safe neighborhoods - while respecting the unique culture of the communities that serve the base. Supporting Holloman is not just an economic priority; it is part of my personal history and a commitment I take seriously as a resident of District 5 and as someone whose family has long been connected to the base.

Alamogordo Town News: Affordable housing remains a challenge in Alamogordo, particularly for military families and residents facing rising costs. How would you approach solutions, such as LEDA funding allocations, zoning updates, or partnerships with developers, to address this issue?

Mrs. Edmonds: Affordable housing must balance supply with respect for existing neighborhoods and their history. I support targeted incentives for projects like Sendero that deliver military and workforce housing with clear public benefits. I favor thoughtful zoning updates that allow modest density increases in appropriate areas while protecting the character of historic districts like Miami Street and the character of the Chihuahuita neighborhood of District 5. I will work with developers, the city manager, and residents to create partnerships that produce attainable homes without overburdening infrastructure and reflect our community’s culture and history. My goal is practical progress that keeps families in Alamogordo and supports Holloman’s mission.

Alamogordo Town News: The city has faced a decade of turnover in the city manager position, contributing to delays in infrastructure projects (like water upgrades) and concerns about stability. What role should the commission play in ensuring a smooth, transparent search and long-term leadership continuity?

Mrs. Edmonds: The commission’s role is to hire a qualified city manager, then provide consistent policy direction and support so that person can succeed. After a decade of turnover that has delayed water upgrades, road repairs, and other critical projects, stability is essential. I will advocate for a transparent, professional search process and then work collaboratively with the chosen manager—offering advice and oversight without micromanaging nor overstepping understanding my role per the charter. My Charter Committee experience taught me the value of clear roles and timelines; I will apply that same principle here to keep infrastructure moving towards sustainability and the city fiscally sound.

Alamogordo Town News: Public safety, emergency preparedness (including extreme weather events like heat or cold), and community resilience have been raised by residents. What ideas do you have for improving preparedness plans, sheltering vulnerable populations, or collaborating with county and base partners?

Mrs. Edmonds: We already know how to mobilize neighborhoods—our annual cleanups have shown that. I would expand that model: champion partnering with the county more proactively as well as churches, community centers, and the base to identify cooling/heating shelters, pre-position resources for vulnerable residents, and run joint drills with Otero County and Holloman by championing a multiple agency approach. My work on the Miami Street exhibit and cleanups has built strong relationships across District 5; I will use those connections to ensure no one is left behind during extreme weather or other emergencies.

Alamogordo Town News: District 5 and Alamogordo overall benefit from strong community involvement. How would you engage residents—through town halls, social media, or other means—to ensure diverse voices are heard on issues like infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life?

Mrs. Edmonds: I will hold regular District 5 town halls and continue the open forums that have worked so well in the cleanups. I will also use social media, neighborhood walks, and outreach I have done for years to hear directly from residents—especially on roads, water, and quality-of-life issues. Every voice matters, and I will make sure the commission hears the concerns of working families, seniors, military households, and longtime neighbors alike.

Alamogordo Town News: If appointed, what would be your top three priorities for the remainder of the term (through December 2027), and how would you measure success in those areas?

Mrs. Edmonds:

1. Infrastructure and road improvements — Encourage Acceleration of water-system upgrades and street repairs

Success: measurable progress on funded projects and visible improvements reported by residents.

2. Fiscal responsibility and stable city management — Support a strong, permanent city manager and ensure every budget decision protects taxpayer dollars

Success: on-time budgets, reduced reliance on reserves, and continuity in key projects.

3. Community engagement and quality of life — Expand neighborhood cleanups, preserve local history, and keep residents informed and involved

Success: higher participation in public meetings, positive resident feedback, and continued events like the Miami Street programming.

I will measure all three by one simple standard: Are District 5 families and the city as a whole better off—safer, cleaner, more stable, and more prosperous—because of the work we did together?

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