Alamogordo District 5 Candidate Forum Draws Community Engagement Amid Commissioner Absences

Alamogordo, NM – In a collaborative effort between Mayor Sharon McDonald, 2nd Life Media’s AlamogordoTownNews.org, and Streaming KALHRadio.org, the District 5 Candidate Forum brought together residents to hear from those vying for the vacant commission seat, set to expire on December 31, 2027. Held at the Dudley Community Center, the event attracted approximately 50 in-person attendees from across the community, with an additional 256 viewers tuning in remotely via YouTube. The forum provided a platform for candidates to address 14 audience-submitted questions, moderated and read by Mayor McDonald, highlighting key issues facing the district and the city at large.

The selection process for the new commissioner rests with a vote from the six current members of the commission. Notably, Commissioner Robinson was present in the audience, attentively following the proceedings. However, the absence of Commissioners Rardin, Tapley, Burnett, and Pattillo drew murmurs from the crowd and sparked discussions among attendees about leadership commitment and the value placed on public input. Further analysis of these absences and their implications for governance can be found in an accompanying editorial from AlamogordoTownNews.org.

Three candidates were featured: Shelley Dowhanik-Baron and Vesta Sherrie Edmonds, who participated in person, and Al Hernandez, who was unable to attend due to a prior family commitment but had his opening and closing statements read by supporter Mike Gerber, also known as radio personality Mike Mason. Hernandez, leveraging his 12 years of prior commission experience, focused on Alamogordo’s growth and welfare. He supported airport expansion via the advisory board, noting its District 5 location, and urged closer city-county ties. He highlighted volunteer work aiding neighbors, hospital duties, and Dudley School projects like bathroom removals and cleanups, vowing continued help for the needy. Hernandez pushed for the Walker Road water line upgrade, renewed code enforcement, and south Walker cleanups, while promoting an open-door policy for input and openness to partnerships. He noted recent zoo improvements since childhood, encouraged local shopping for small businesses, and emphasized Holloman’s role with joint efforts for housing and jobs. He prioritized utilities and roads for collective fixes, measuring success by better quality of life, drawing from lifelong residency and group collaborations.

Shelley Dowhanik-Baron brought her background as a former city engineer to the forefront, sharing experiences in public education on engineering projects through media, meetings, and informal “kitchen table” discussions. Despite residing in Alamogordo for only eight years—three within District 5—she highlighted her integration into the community through deep friendships and volunteer work, including Christmas on MainStreet events for Alamogordo MainStreet and community cleanups. Dowhanik-Baron stressed themes of transparency and accountability, positioning herself as a bridge between technical expertise and public engagement. On the airport, she noted living nearby and strongly supported upgrades and expansion to restore public service. Regarding the zoo, she had visited within the last month with family, endorsed its mission, and advocated for further improvements and enhancements.

Vesta Sherrie Edmonds drew on her deep family roots, faith, and passion for community service, speaking of her mentorship through Big Brothers Big Sisters and her role in initiating district-wide cleanups that evolved into city-wide initiatives. She reflected on her appointment to the 2023 Charter Committee, where she contributed to reforms like eliminating runoff elections to save taxpayer dollars and establishing action timelines in charter resolutions. Edmonds described the charter as the foundational document governing commissioners and city leadership, emphasizing its citizen-driven importance and her commitment to fostering the next generation of community leaders. In discussing the airport, she recalled growing up in Alamogordo during its airline service era and pledged to work toward reviving flights. For the zoo, she had also visited recently with family, supported its mission, and called for additional upgrades and expansions.

What stood out most during the evening was the genuine passion displayed by the in-person candidates. Edmonds, though visibly nervous, conveyed a heartfelt dedication to community care, while Dowhanik-Baron demonstrated compassion, empathy, and respect for all participants with her seasoned public speaking skills. The forum concluded on an emotional note, with Mayor Sharon McDonald visibly moved by the candidates’ enthusiasm for filling her former position. She celebrated the strong turnout, both in-person and online, as a testament to Alamogordo’s engaged citizenry and the importance of such forums in shaping local governance.

A video of the forum is available at https://www.youtube.com/live/233tHKBLfcQ?si=wt1YgvEWL2juQqet

More News from Alamogordo

• District 5 Residents Invited to First‑Ever Public Forum for Appointment of City Commission Vacancy Meet the candidates Thursday 6 pm Dudley School
• Tularosa Trustees Weigh Historic Preservation, Zoning Appeals, and Court Technology Needs Trustee meeting recap