Editor’s note: This was sent to the Española City Council before being submitted for publication in the Rio Grande SUN.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am imploring you, please, set aside your dislike of me and my activism and read this email.
Please act in good conscience and immediately call a special meeting to discuss the allegations, accusations, and investigations against Mayor John Ramon Vigil.
I implore you to allow public comment and listen to the concerns of your constituents. There have been numerous issues throughout Mr. Vigil’s terms as City Councilor and now Mayor. As your constituent, I have felt ignored, disrespected, and ostracized when I’ve previously voiced my numerous concerns to you. I am not alone. The people you serve, exceed the borders of our city. As Mr. Lujan stated in his thank you speech when appointed … you serve all the neighboring communities also. We all deserve better than this.
While politics may dictate to you, how you address political issues, sexual harassment isn’t about your politics. It’s about your morals and ethics. Sexual assault isn’t about political machinations; sexual assault is a crime. Yes, Mr. Vigil is innocent until legally proven guilty. That’s for the legal process of our state and country to decide.
Your constituents are not asking you to determine his guilt. We are asking you to uphold the Code of Ethics that you all swore to uphold.
You are responsible for every staff member’s safety and for the governance of our city.
The accusations (3 city employees who don’t know one another and did not work together) are enough for the City of Española, as an organization to act.
It’s about risk management. Mr. Vigil should not be permitted on city property effective immediately and throughout the continuation of your investigation and subsequent discussion.
What you should be considering as our elected leadership:
The safety of the alleged victim, a current staff member.
Risk Management
The liability to the City of Española.
Potential personal liabilities for enabling these patterns.
Performance of the HR Director
Performance of the City Clerk (not appointed yet acting as “Interim” City Manager and involving herself in the internal investigation of this matter with no authority to do so. (You need a new city manager appointee)
The respect and dignity of your constituents.
Earning the respect and trust of your constituents by taking action and getting our house in order.
Your personal dignity.
This isn’t about personal allegiances, friendships, vendettas, debts owed, favors or politics. Women are human beings. Personally, you have wives, daughters, sisters, mothers, nieces, friends, sisters from other misters.
What if this was happening to them? The scrutiny endured, the derision, the gas lighting and the utter invalidation of her personal worth.
What would you want for that woman in your life? In your roles as City Councilors, you OWE it to your staff, and the law demands it of you, to act. You cannot permit an unsafe work environment. You have the power to rein in John Ramon Vigil and hold him accountable to the ethical demands of his elected office. You act on our behalf. You act, as we would, to keep our staff safe. Show us all that your ethics matter more than your politics.
To the woman having to endure this: Please know that I, and many of our community fully support you and thank you for your incredible bravery in coming forward. You will have my full support and gratitude for keeping the staff safe.
This should not have happened to you. A human should not be served lifelong trauma to earn a paycheck and benefits.
Whatever the legal implications and outcome, we know that this was difficult for you.
You deserved better. On your behalf, I am writing to the City Council to do what ethics, decency, and care for the women of our community demands.
You have our full support. Stay strong hermana.
Cynthia Lentini
Española