Española City Councilor Cecilia Lujan submitted a letter of resignation Nov. 1, citing family health issues as the reason she is stepping down, creating another appointment Mayor Alice Lucero must make, and get past a fractured city Council.
In her resignation letter, submitted to Lucero, Lujan states, “First and foremost, I thank my family for their support in my journey as I served in this capacity and in my ultimate decision to step down.”
Lujan acknowledged the support she’s received from her fellow residents and shared how grateful she is to have served the community.
“I wish to thank all the residents for their support and for allowing me to serve as their city Councilor,” Lujan states in her resignation letter. “I was honored and privileged to serve you. I also wish to thank the employees for their hard work and continued dedication despite the lack of resources. They continue to do the best job possible for the city of Española.”
Lucero said at Tuesday’s city Council meeting anyone in the district can apply for the position.
“We’ll be looking at a replacement,” the mayor said.
Lucero said any member of the public who resides in District 3 and is interested in replacing Lujan on the Council should call the mayor’s office at city hall at 747-6100 and let her know. District 3 is bordered on west by Riverside Drive, the east by McCurdy Road, down to the Chimayó Highway and then east toward Sombrillo. The northern boundary is Park Street, just south of Fairview Lane.
Lucero said she understands Lujan’s decision to resign and wished only the best for the former councilor as she handles her personal obligations.
“(C)ouncilor Lujan’s resignation leaves a big void on the city Council,” Lucero said. “She continued to serve as long as she could, but due to personal obligations, she felt it was necessary to resign. I understand and respect her decision.”
Lucero said Lujan was a strong advocate for public safety while serving on the Council.
“(She was) always concerned about the safety and well-being of our citizens,” Lucero said. “She was instrumental in acquiring flashing lights in school zones and you will see more of those being installed due to her efforts. She also worked hard to get the Adopt-a-Median Program back on track in an effort to beautify our city and instill community pride.”
Lucero also said Councilor Lujan’s knowledge and expertise in finance was invaluable to the city.
“These are big shoes to fill,” Lucero said.
Mayor Pro-Tem Dennis Salazar recalled Lujan’s service on the Council while also suggesting Lujan may have lost some of her drive in recent months as her attention became consumed with pressing family health matters.
“Councilor Lujan served more than six-and-a-half years on the city Council,” Salazar said. “When she had that fire in her eyes, she was a mover and a shaker. As of late, I hadn’t seen that, but it probably was as she had mentioned, personal issues going on outside the city. I wish her my best in whatever is before her.”
Lujan did not return multiple attempts at contact for an interview.
Any of Lucero’s proposed appointments would first have to be approved by the Council by at least 4-3 vote.
“As for an appointment, yes, if the mayor chooses to appoint a member from Cecilia’s district she can, but it is up to the Council to say ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” Salazar said.
Fill the void
Leo Marquez ran for city Council in District 3 last March, narrowly losing to Councilor Eric Radosevich. Now that he’s parted ways with the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office, he said he would accept a Council appointment following Lujan’s resignation. (See story, page A5)
Marquez said he and the mayor have a solid working relationship and he would likely be on her short list of prospective appointees.
Whomever is appointed and ratified by the Council would have to run for election in March 2014, when Lujan’s term would have expired.