JMEC Board has censured Trustee John Ramon Vigil, and he was later prohibited from attending meetings on the JMEC property. Mr. Vigil’s current defense is that nothing specifically written into the bylaws grants the Board the power to make these recent decisions. That doesn’t change the action that had to be taken by Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative.
The COOP identified, assessed, and responded to risks that could negatively impact the organization.
If I had any decision-making authority at Jemez — I would agree with the board’s actions. In the long run, it will cost the organization less to risk a lawsuit from Trustee Vigil and his technicality defense than to risk multiple lawsuits from staff and members if Trustee Vigil could continue to wield and use his power without restraint, as has been alleged.
From a professional, “organizational” perspective, you must roll the dice on what will cost less. Either decision is going to cost. The City of Española’s governing body and administration is scoring a huge F on its risk management grade.
Sally Baxter, HR director; Mayor John Ramon Vigil and City Manager Eric Lujan have each stated, in a public meeting, that the city’s insurers are “nervous” about Councilor Sam LeDoux’s social media use. A qualified city manager, mayor, and HR director could tell you that insurance only looks at loss runs and current lawsuits, not social media. Rates are based on facts, not opinions. Multiple lawsuits have been filed: That’s a fact.
What will make an insurer nervous is a string of lawsuits with one person at the center of each. It’s a concerning pattern, and the lack of action indicates an organization that condones the behavior (silence speaks volumes). This inaction increases liability.
City of Española governing body, take your cues from the JMEC Board. You overlooked the first complaint of improper, morally questionable, and grossly unprofessional decisions. You could get away with ignoring the first complaint and hope it all goes away. However, after repeated incidents being alleged and reported — it is now a pattern of behavior that you are enabling and condoning — every one of you. If there isn’t any “legislation,” then one of you should get up your courage and propose some.
It’s time for some accountability, assertive leadership, and qualified leadership. If the governor’s office is listening — Española needs serious help with oversight and accountability. When do we get to stop the bleeding?
Risk Management: identifying, assessing, and responding to risks that could negatively impact an organization.