Mountainair Town Council Conducts Special Meeting to Make Changes in Public Works Department

On Thursday, June 8, 2023, the Mountainair Town Council met in a special meeting to address an employee discipline matter. After the council met in executive session for roughly one hour, the council returned to its chamber where it voted unanimously to demote Public Works Supervisor Edward "Popeye" Padilla. The council did not discuss Padilla's replacement as Public Works Supervisor, nor did it discuss in public the reasons for Padilla's demotion, except to note that Padilla's demotion included a requirement that he follow NMDOT and US Department of Transportation regulations and Mountainair employee policies. However, in recent Mountainair Town Council meetings, members of the public had expressed concerns regarding Public Works failing to properly maintain alleys in town. Similarly, at a May 16, 2023, meeting of the town council, concerns had been expressed regarding Public Works employees failing to abide by personnel policies.