“Alamogordo Commission Meeting: City Manager’s Transition Plan Until October 18th”
The Alamogordo City Commission meeting on Tuesday unfolded without much excitement, with only a small number of attendees present. One significant topic addressed was the recent resignation of City Manager Rick Holden, who became the seventh individual to hold this position in Alamogordo over the past decade.
The news of Holden’s resignation was first reported by AlamogordoTownNews.org after multiple city employees tipped off the newsroom. One of the sources suggested filing an Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) request to obtain Holden’s calendar and emails with various city commissioners to better understand the pressures and challenges he faced. In response, AlamogordoTownNews.org submitted multiple public records requests to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding his resignation.
Several city staff members contacted AlamogordoTownNews.org, anonymously expressing concerns about retaliation and suggesting that an email exchange on Thursday was the final straw that led to Holden’s decision to resign.
AlamogordoTownNews.org initially reported Holden’s resignation based on available information at the time, pending further confirmation and official comment. While the city confirmed his departure on Monday, they did not issue an official statement. Reports indicated that Mayor Susan Payne would address the matter and release a letter, allegedly written by Holden, at Tuesday’s commission meeting.
During the meeting, Acting City Manager Stephanie Hernandez read a statement from Holden, in which he expressed his intention to remain in the area and shared that it had been a pleasure to work with each commissioner. He cited the need to step back from his position, but his letter was notably brief. It was also clarified that Holden’s position, according to the city’s pay structure, earns a minimum annual salary of $105,665. Hernandez stated that she remains in frequent communication with Holden as he transitions out of his role, with his last day set for October 18th, 2024.
Following this, each commissioner was given the opportunity to comment. Mayor Susan Payne took the floor and launched into a 13-minute speech condemning the media coverage by AlamogordoTownNews.org regarding Holden’s resignation. She accused the news outlet of irresponsible reporting, stating that their coverage spread misinformation and division within the community.
In her speech, Payne also criticized Alamogordo residents whom she described as “critics that bring down progress,” alleging that many do not pay taxes, which she claimed hinders the community from having “nice things.” Payne further addressed allegations circulating on social media, stating that some had accused her of “getting free water” and that city commissioners benefitted financially from their roles, which she denied.
The mayor then targeted the journalists at AlamogordoTownNews.org directly, suggesting that their reporting was divisive, filled with inaccuracies, and harmful to the community. She lamented that the constitution protects free speech but doesn’t offer the same protection for political leaders, expressing frustration with social media, journalism, and a segment of Alamogordo voters. Payne concluded her remarks by asserting that social media, critical citizens, and journalists contributed to Holden’s decision to resign.
The City of Alamogordo has scheduled a Special Meeting for Tuesday, October 1st, which will include a closed session to further address the situation surrounding the city manager’s resignation. AlamogordoTownNews.org will continue to investigate and report on this developing story as more details emerge.
