Call for letters of interest for BF mayor vacancy

BOSQUE FARMS — The process to fill the mayoral vacancy in the village of Bosque Farms has begun.  

Wayne Ake, who began his term on Jan. 1, announced at the Feb. 15 meeting he was stepping down from the position due to health concerns. His last day in office was March 1. Mayor Pro Tem Ronita Wood is empowered to perform his duties in his absence.   

At a special meeting on Thursday, March 7, Wood directed the village clerk/administrator to put out a call for letters of interest on the village’s website and Facebook page. 

“We cannot have a special election. The council has to appoint, so the process is up to us,” Wood said. “It can be someone off the board or a resident of the village.” 

Councilor Tim Baughman said he had gotten a suggestion from a village resident to ask those interested in the position have qualifications which would indicate they are able to perform the duties of mayor such as experience in public service or government, management and leadership in the public or private sector, experience in village government activities either as an employee or volunteer and experience interacting with state, county and local government. 

Saying she’s already received one letter of interest from former village councilor and mayor Bob Knowlton, Councilor Erica DeSmet said she didn’t want to wait “too long” to make an appointment. 

Wood asked Clerk/Administrator Vernon Abeita if he’d received any clarification on how long the appointee would serve — two years or four. 

Abeita said there’s a conflict in the election code as to whether someone appointed to a vacancy for mayor is required to run in the next General Election, which would be this year, or in the next local election, November 2025 in this case.  

“Right now, the ability to appoint a replacement by the council is a yes,” Abeita said. “So, there is time to figure out which election they will need to run in.” 

Village resident Lillie McNabb who was an election poll worker for Valencia County for decades advised council members they definitely didn’t want to have a mayoral election during a presidential election, which is this year.  

“The simpler the better. Ask for a letter of interest. The people who are interested will show up,” McNabb said. “I think enough will come forward…I don’t think it’s necessary to have all those requirements. They have to have a heart and soul for the village. You don’t need all the foo-foos.” 

In terms of how long the appointee would be in place, one village resident said it should only be two years, because “that’s not the person elected by the village, by the people.” 

To be considered to fill the vacant position, the individual needs to be a resident of the village of Bosque Farms and a qualified elector, meaning they are qualified to vote in New Mexico but don’t necessarily need to be registered to vote. 

At Thursday’s special meeting, Wood said those interested in the appointment should submit a letter within the next two weeks. 

Letters of interest should be sent to the clerk/administrator via email, [email protected], or hand delivered to Village Hall, 1455 W. Bosque Loop. 

Letters can also be submitted to any of the four councilors: 

Ronita Wood: [email protected] 

Tim Baughman: [email protected] 

Michael Cheromiah: [email protected] 

Erica DeSmet: [email protected]