52° and Clear
Opinion: If Progressives and Independents Want to Make Inroads Apply for Board Appointments
Over the last 20 years there has been a sweeping overhaul of city, county and state governments in states that are considered more rural. A majority of rural counties now lean deeply conservative and the government representatives in those counties lean deep red and Trumpian. How did that occur?
While the Democratic Party has focused on identity politics in an attempt to unify a splintered constituency of groups such as the LBGTQ+ community, Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, and the well educated masses the Republican party has targeted a message in rural America to the working class, poor, economically challenged and undereducated communities. In rural America that targeted messaging is winning and a huge divide has now been created between the wealthy urban coastal states seeped in economic prosperity such as California, Washington State, New York, New Jersey and the rural economically challenged states such as Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and most of the southern and midwestern inner core states.
That messaging paired with recruiting thousands of these Trumpian leaning social conservatives to serve on the lowest level boards of government to gain a toe hold into the power structure is the missing plank the Democrats and progressive Independents fail to grasp and have failed to implement for their leaders.
Take a look at Otero County New Mexico. Its is an island of Red Trumpian ideology in a deeply blue state. A majority of the city, county and state leadership from that county is deep red conservative and Trunpian. From the mayor to county commissioners, to judges, appointees to
boards and the school board all are Republicans and a majority are Trump Republican.
The Democratic party at the local level, known as DPOC, was suspended from operating, by the state party due to chaos and infighting. Thus the city and county of Otero County New Mexico has only one state recognized actively chartered and operating political party.
Prior to its dissolution there were a few shining examples of individuals that did make a significant contribution and won elected office that being two city commissioners. Each has learned to put party aside reach across the isle and lead via a methodology of "people first" downplaying party politics and showing locally that party is of no consequence.
Otero County has more independents or decline to states and Democrats than registered Republicans but the majority does not participate.
The Republican playbook that has been in action the last 20 years grooms leadership by filling the lowest level of government with volunteer appointees. From appointed library and airport boards, to business development, parks and recreation boards and more the Republicans almost always groom an applicant and thus they hold the power.
Nationwide that has been the trend fill the lowest level of government with appointees on school boards, parks and recreation boards, library boards and more and the power base solidifies.
In Otero County and within the city of Alamogordo there are a number of board opportunities that require minimal time but these boards hold advisory power and are the introductory step to government participation and leadership.
It's time the majority join the game and participate...
Currently within the City Government the Airport Commission has vacancies and is seeking applicants. To learn more about this vacancy and other opportunities visit:
http://ci.alamogordo.nm.us/353/Boards-Committees
Within County Government the follo Citizen advisory boards have vacancies...
- Airport Advisory Board - One Vacancy.
- Airport Zoning Board - Two Vacancies. Applicants must live within City limits.
- Senior Volunteer Programs Advisory Council - One Vacancy. Applicant must live within City limits.
To learn more about each visit:
https://ci.alamogordo.nm.us/353/Boards-Committees
Otero County and Southern New Mexico is underrepresented in many state advisory boards. To learn more about opportunities on state advisory boards check out
https://www.governor.state.nm.us/apply/boards-and-commissions/
In order to maintain a strong democracy participation at all levels of government must occur by a diverse group of citizens with wide ranging ideas and opinions. Different perspectives bring a better result and collaborations that build trust and confidence in government. It's time for Independent, Decline to States, progressives and the educated class to come off the sidelines and actually devote the minimal
time required for real reform, involvement and leadership. The future is in your hands
If you do what youve always done you get the same results you've always got. Now is the time for participation even more so then ever before.
