Residents press Alamogordo commission for transparency in city manager selection and District 5 forum

Several residents used the Feb. 10 public‑comment period to press the Alamogordo City Commission for greater transparency in the city manager selection and the process for filling the vacant District 5 seat.

Russell Davis opened the public‑comment period by asking the city to consider vendor and scheduling impacts after two consecutive years of conflicts for the Alamo Alameda Park Zoo Earth Day celebration. "There could be another deep conflict again. None of that's resolved yet," Davis said, and urged continued public comment and outreach to city staff and the zoo manager.

Evan Lambert, who identified himself as an Alamogordo resident since 2020, called for continuity, professionalism and transparency in leadership and noted a District 5 public forum planned for Feb. 19 at the Dudley Community Center so District 5 voters can hear candidates. Pastor Jerry Martinez, who serves people experiencing homelessness, urged clearer information about Code Blue and how warming services reach unhoused people.

Kim White Owl Murillo criticized what she called a pattern of deception and silence by commissioners, said many community members support Stephanie Hernandez and insisted public servants must respond. "This strategy of silence breeds mistrust," White Owl said. Rudy Contreras, who said he was born and raised in Chihuahuita, also said residents distrust the commission and asked each commissioner to explain what qualities they seek in a city manager.

The nut graf: multiple speakers urged that the commission make the city manager recruitment and the District 5 appointment process more open and communicative; staff and the mayor announced a Feb. 19 forum for District 5 candidates at Dudley Community Center.

City staff did not respond to public comment during the period (the commission noted that public comment is not answered on the dais) but staff and commissioners later noted a forum and provided staff contact paths for follow‑up emails.

The commission confirmed the District 5 candidate forum will be at 623 Maryland Avenue, Dudley Community Center and Park from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 19. Commissioners and staff said written questions had been distributed to candidates and that the public will have opportunity to hear from them at the forum.

The public‑comment speakers tied concerns about transparency to other issues raised in recent months, including public safety incidents and personnel turnover, and called for clearer, accessible information on how appointments and personnel decisions are made.