Trustees appoint Lawrence Riel as mayor; swearing-in set for Feb. 5

The Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Lawrence Riel to serve as mayor to complete the unexpired term of Joe D. Craig at its Jan. 21 meeting. Trustees voted in favor after a motion and second were made during the board's old-business agenda.

The vote followed discussion of timing and urgent local needs. Trustee comments noted the approaching windy season and fire risk and said having an appointed mayor in place would help the village coordinate responses and legislative priorities. Attorney Chapel advised the board to vote on the appointment first and then set the effective date for the swearing-in.

Riel spoke after the vote, thanking trustees for their confidence and saying he plans to hold community meetings, meet with staff on budget and legislative priorities and emphasize preserving the village's semi-rural character. "My commitment is to keep an open mind, an open door to listen to the concerns of the community," Riel said.

Trustees then voted to set the swearing-in for Feb. 5 in the late afternoon at Village Hall so Mr. Riel can participate in ongoing budget and legislative work. Board members recorded the appointment and the swearing-in date by voice vote: trusty Benitas yes; trusty kefir yes; trusty radnovich yes; trusty Ranal yes.

The appointment and the scheduled swearing-in complete the board's action under the statute cited at the meeting for filling mayoral vacancies. No further actions to fill the office were recorded in the public meeting; the board may take additional procedural steps or assign tasks to the new mayor after Feb. 5.