Age, lack of maturity, no major executive experience have all been a concern for residents of Espanola since John Ramon Vigil was elected mayor in March of 2022.
Those concerns are turning to alarm as the city teeters on the edge of municipal disaster because of the bungling and mismanagement at city hall. The city may or may not be going broke. No one knows for certain.
The 28-year-old mayor has now been sued by Jordan Yutzy, who may or may not be the city manager. He was suspended by Mayor Vigil but is still being paid. Who actually is on first base? The city finance director, Robert Corabi, has been placed on leave but he, too, is being paid.
No work, full pay? Good jobs if you can get them.
The claims by Yutzy in his lawsuit are jaw-dropping but let’s be clear. Mayor Vigil has not been found guilty of any of the complaints in the lawsuit. One charge in the lawsuit accuses Mayor Vigil of criminal activity.
Still, we must point out that if even 10% of the charges in the complaint are true, those who worried that Vigil was not prepared for the job would have an argument that holds water. Make that a big tank of water.
You can read the entire lawsuit on our website at riograndesun.com.
Yutzy’s characterization of the mayor is one of an immature, power-hungry, rule-flouting, temperamental, unethical, profane bully who wants to hire friends and fire people he simply does not like.
This man is running a $13 million “company” called Espanola and spending your money. It appears he believes he answers to no one. His fellow city councilors do not seem to matter to him – but why would they?
The lawsuit mentions Yutzy’s interactions and complaints to Mayor Pro Tem Peggy Martinez, and councilors Denise Benavidez, Justin Salazar-Torres and Natalie Rodriguez. If they did anything at all to curb or rein in the mayor it is not obvious. This council should be called “The Rubber Stamp Collectors.”
In fact, Yutzy contends in his lawsuit that after complaining to Benavidez, “Ms. Benavidez stated that they were going to all other members of the Council about the concerns expressed by Mr. Yutzy and Mr. Corabi about the Mayor’s improper conduct. Ms. Benavidez said that the City Council would need to hold a special meeting to “get him back in line.”
Which line was that, Ms. Benavidez? The bucket brigade you will need to douse this city hall fire?
And what is the use of a mayor pro tem if she will not stand to be counted instead of looking for the next coattails to ride?
And we hope you will recall that last week we said the mayor has a conflict of interest serving on the board of the Jemez Mountain Rural Electric Collaborative?
Yutzy charges that the mayor conducts Jemez business from city hall and demanded Yutzy fire the city’s IT manager and hire one from Jemez. Yutzy claims he demurred.
Amid the tenebrous claims of the lawsuit you can find some humor – dark humor, but funny. By the way, is your dog limping around the yard? Might have stickers. If so, call the city. Perhaps the mayor can help out poor Fido.
One of Yutzy’s charges involves Mayor Vigil’s dog.
It reads: “For example, Defendant Vigil demanded that City workers cut weeds on private property because the mayor’s dog had gotten stickers in its fur. Defendant Vigil also made demands to other City employees for over $1,000 in street signs replaced around Defendant Vigil’s house.”
The city should settle this suit to avoid further embarrassment to Espanola. We do not need any more statewide jokes about us. But should the case go to trial the probing question is: will the mayor’s dog testify?
The judge might demand, “Don’t be dogged in your responses, dog.”
Is our city going to the dogs, one might ask?
The Boy Prince
“Your eyes are wide, but always blind
And I fear you’ll find
No end, no tie, no reason for this fight
Don’t look to another, a lie is what you will make of it…”
(Lyrics from a song by Winterbourne – Album: All but the Sun)