Bayard accepting applications for council vacancy
The city of Bayard is accepting applications to fill a seat on the Bayard City Council following the death of Councilor Zeke Santa Maria, who died two months ago.
Anyone interested in applying must be a qualified elector, meaning they must be a resident of Bayard and a registered voter. Individuals need to submit a letter of interest along with their current affidavit of voter registration by 4 p.m. on Nov. 21 to:
Mayor Chon Fierro
City of Bayard
Bayard, NM 88023
Or, folks can drop it off at Bayard City Hall. The envelope must be sealed and labeled "City Council Application."
Mayor Chon Fierro will review the applicants and then make a recommendation to the council on Dec. 10. The person appointed to the seat will begin in January.
Bayard Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Ortiz said Santa Maria's term was from March 2016 to March 2020. However, that date could change. The New Mexico Legislature changed the statute during this year's session allowing municipalities to move the date of their elections to November. So, the Bayard City Council could take no action to keep the status quo, or vote to move the municipal election to November and have the Grant County Clerk's Office conduct the election.
Depending on the council's vote, the change would affect the length of the council's terms. Ortiz said the change could shorten the council term to December 2019 or extend it to December 2021.
The council will vote on a notice of intent to adopt an ordinance changing the municipal election during today's meeting. If the NOI is approved, the ordinance will go to a vote at the Dec. 10 meeting.
Santa Maria died Sept. 8 after a long battle with cancer. He served on the Bayard City Council for 23 years, and as clerk for six years.
"He meant a lot because he was on the council for a lot of years," Fierro said. "He was a clerk for a few years and meant a lot to the city."
The Bayard City Council will present a plaque to Santa Maria's wife and children and Fierro will say a few words about him during the Dec. 10 meeting.
For more information about applying to fill the seat, call Ortiz at 537-3327.
C.P. Thompson may be reached at [email protected] press.com.
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