Estancia Fire Chief Terminated Amid Escalating Dispute Between Mayor and Trustees
Estancia Fire Chief Chris Wolonsky was terminated on Monday, February 9, 2026, by Mayor Runnel Riley during a private meeting, according to sources who communicated with The Mountainair Dispatch.
The termination appears to be the latest flashpoint in an increasingly public and contentious power struggle between the mayor and the town’s governing board, one that began with the dismissal of Town Clerk Michelle Jones (now Torrance County Deputy Manager) by way of a contract lapse and the hiring of Amanda Gallegos, partner of the CoreCivic executive in charge of the Torrance County Detention Facility, as the new town clerk by the mayor without Board of Trustees input or any sort of conflict of interest check (Gallegos quit the job shortly after taking it). As of publication, it was not clear whether Riley had named an interim fire chief or advised the Estancia Board of Trustees of Wolonsky's firing.
Alleged reasons for termination
According to sources, Mayor Riley cited two reasons for the termination. The first involved an alleged failure to meet a standard imposed by the New Mexico Department of Transportation related to the fire department’s operations. The second concerned an incident in which Wolonsky’s daughter—also a member of the Estancia Fire Department—brought her infant child to the fire station.
Details regarding the alleged NMDOT compliance issue were not provided during the meeting, and no written documentation has yet been released by the town to substantiate the claim.
The Mountainair Dispatch has reached out to Mayor Riley for comment and has submitted a formal public records request seeking documents related to the termination, including any correspondence with NMDOT, internal disciplinary records, and personnel policies cited in the decision. Riley has not responded.
Wolonsky disputes allegations
When reached by phone, Wolonsky characterized the mayor’s actions as retaliatory and emotionally painful.
“I did this job because I love this community,” Wolonsky said. “I was already retired when I took on the role of fire chief. This wasn’t about a paycheck—it was about service.”
Wolonsky declined to comment further on the specifics of the allegations, but said he was unaware of any unresolved compliance issues that would justify immediate termination.
Governance questions remain
It remains unclear whether the mayor has unilateral authority to terminate the fire chief without board involvement, or whether trustees will challenge the action at an upcoming public meeting.
Since Riley's swearing in during a January 2026 meeting of the Board of Trustees, relations between the mayor and the Board of Trustees have been marked by open disagreement over administrative authority, questions concerning the mayor's fitness for his role, personnel decisions, and transparency. The termination of the fire chief without board consultation is likely to intensify those tensions.
Developing story
This is a developing story. The Mountainair Dispatch will update/correct this report as additional records are released or further action is taken by the Board of Trustees or the Mayor.