Chris Wolonsky - Mountainair Dispatch

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Chris Wolonsky

A collection of 5 posts

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Estancia Stonewalls Records Request for 74 Days, Faces AG Complaint

ESTANCIA - On Friday, April 24, 2026, the Mountainair Dispatch filed a formal complaint with the New Mexico Attorney General's Office alleging that the Town of Estancia had unlawfully withheld public records sought pursuant to an Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) request for more than two months. This

Estancia Fires Acting Fire Chief, Reinstates Wolonsky After Structure Fire

Estancia Fires Acting Fire Chief, Reinstates Wolonsky After Structure Fire

ESTANCIA — The Estancia Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday night, April 21, 2026, to reinstate Chris Wolonsky as fire chief of the Estancia Fire Department and terminate acting Fire Chief Lester Gary -- not only from the interim role but from the fire department entirely -- following a special meeting that

Bodycam Footage Contradicts Mayor's Characterization of Fire Chief Termination

Bodycam Footage Contradicts Mayor's Characterization of Fire Chief Termination

Bodycam footage recorded by Estancia Police Chief Tom Carter on February 9, 2026, shows Estancia Mayor Runnel Riley asking Estancia Fire Chief Chris Wolonsky to step down from his position. Riley justified asking Wolonsky to step down by citing liability concerns, including the presence of a baby at the fire

Estancia Mayor Not Concerned About Recall Petition and Denies Firing Fire Chief

Estancia Mayor Not Concerned About Recall Petition and Denies Firing Fire Chief

Estancia Mayor Runnel Riley denied terminating Estancia Fire Chief Chris Wolonsky, claiming he instead asked Wolonsky to step down from his position as chief during a telephone interview. “I didn’t terminate Chris,” Riley said in a phone interview. “I just asked him to step down from being chief.” According

Estancia Fire Chief Terminated Amid Escalating Dispute Between Mayor and Trustees

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