Bayard City Council appoints Mayor Pro Tem and exempt employees 031218

Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 14 March 2018 14 March 2018

By Hallie Richwine

The City of Bayard Council Meeting on March 12, 2018 began at 2 p.m. after a work session that was approximately 30 minutes long. Councilors Zeke Santa Maria, Adrian Ortiz, Raul Villanueva, and Eloy Medina attended as well as Mayor Chon Fierro.

Oscar Merino of Copper Little League reported to council during public input. Over the past weekend they cleaned the field. They contacted a contractor that volunteered time to paint. Dugouts were painted and more dirt was removed from the infield. Merino said things are coming along but they are still waiting on the railing. They are ready for Saturday’s opening ceremonies.

Clerk Treasurer Kristina Ortiz said fence capping arrives by the end of the week.

Villanueva said they moved bleachers and cleaned everything out and that they want to make a good impression this season.

Fierro thanked Copper Little League as well as the Maintenance and Fire Departments for their work on the field.

The pee wee field has been reseeded and will be maintained with fresh water until the city gets the go-ahead for the effluent water project.

Fierro appointed Villanueva as Mayor Pro Tem and also listed board assignments. He then re-appointed several exempt employees. First was Clerk Treasurer Ortiz who has been with the city of Bayard since 1994 when she started as a student co-op. “She has done a job that is unbelievable,” said Fierro. Ortiz’ recent accolades include winning the 2016 Clerk of the Year in the state of New Mexico.

Next, Fierro re-appointed Maintenance Manager Eddie Sedillos, who started with the city in 1979, and knows, “where every water and sewer line is in Bayard,” said Fierro. Then he re-appointed Jason Jaeger of Wastewater Treatment, who started his career in the Maintenance department before moving to his current position.

Willie Kerin was re-appointed as Chief of Police. Kerin began his career with Bayard a little over a decade ago and has been leading the police force for almost three years. Fire chief Euphemio Gonzalez was also re-appointed, with 35 years of service.

Fierro emphasized the loyalty among the City of Bayard employees.

Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 1-2018 for the wastewater dewatering system project loan. This allows the city to pursue an $11,000 loan at 0% interest.

Council also briefly discussed the intent to adopt for the franchise ordinance agreement with WNM Communications. Ortiz asked the councilors to read through the documents provided, which were based off the Santa Clara agreement with WNM Communications. Council wanted to clarify some of the terms of the agreement and continue to review it, so Santa Maria moved to table any action on the item. All were in favor.

Santa Maria reminded the council that the library board meeting happens on March 21, 2018.

Ortiz and Medina had nothing to report at this time.

Villanueva congratulated Medina on the election. “It was a tough race, five people for two seats. It’s humbling to know the community selected us.” He also congratulated the mayor.

Fierro also congratulated Medina and Villanueva and said he looks forward to working together.

The next meeting for the City of Bayard Council happens Monday, March 26, 2018 at 2 p.m. following a short work session. The public is invited to attend.

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.