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Residents urge commission to appoint Dr. Stephanie Hernandez and raise local concerns on trash, Bonito Lake and community gardens
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Summary
During public comment, multiple residents urged the commission to appoint Dr. Stephanie Hernandez as city manager, highlighted downtown trash pickup problems, requested Bonito Lake status updates and celebrated the Maryland Avenue Public Garden and pending state bills to support local food programs.
Several residents used the public‑comment period at Tuesday's Alamogordo City Commission meeting to press officials on personnel direction and local projects.
Rudy Canteris told the commission he wants Dr. Stephanie Hernandez appointed permanent city manager, arguing she is already effectively performing the role: "She's been at this job for the last 2 years, at least. She's more than qualified to do this," Canteris said, and asked why the city is recruiting outside candidates while a local candidate is available.
Kim Great White Owl Murillo also urged commissioners to recognize Hernandez's leadership, citing Hernandez's response during a recent storm as evidence of capability. Murillo described herself as an elder "ready to move our city" and asked commissioners to "acknowledge and permanently secure" Hernandez's role.
The mayor read a staff statement later in the meeting saying the commission had held executive sessions on city manager recruitment, that no action was taken there and that the recruitment is continuing because of changes in the candidate pool; interviews are expected to resume in February. The statement said no action on appointment would occur that night.
Other public commenters raised community issues: Brenda Barber, a downtown property owner, said recently installed trash cans on New York Avenue are overflowing and that the city currently lacks a contract to empty them, warning the cans could be removed if a pickup solution is not found. Russell Davis asked for more informational agenda items and a public update on Bonito Lake's reopening timeline. Courtney McCarry Squires thanked the city for support of the Maryland Avenue Public Garden and noted two state bills (HB101 and HB114) that she said could bolster local food bank and Double Up Food Bucks programs.
City staff later responded in the meeting: Hernandez said recruitment continues and interviews will resume in February; staff also explained past, informal arrangements had been used for downtown trash pickup and said Main Street placed the cans via a grant and that operations and contracts will be reviewed.
