By Pat Davis, Route 66 Independent, Edgewood — Mike Rariden started and ended the Edgewood Town Commission meeting as a commissioner and mayor. That is not normally a newsworthy event but Tuesday’s meeting was not an ordinary meeting.
After announcing in April that he would resign “during the week of May 4-8,” he rescinded his resignation on May 6 citing a desire to remain in office until the town’s fire service agreement with Santa Fe County was finalized. On Monday, Rariden said fellow commissioners had not accepted what he called an indefinite extension of his resignation.
Just before the commission gaveled into session Tuesday, Rariden gave a brief statement saying his computer access had been restored and he would remain.
More than 60 residents packed the commission chambers and lined the hallway outside for a packed agenda. Half of the dozen or so public commenters said they came to ensure that Rariden would retain his seat. Many of those comments were interspersed with criticism of the commission’s handling of the months-long saga over the cancelation of fire and EMS services provided by the county.
Rariden had spearheaded negotiations to establish a new joint powers agreement with the county to restore service and make good on tax payments due to the county negotiated under the original fire service agreement. The commission approved the new agreement on May 1 with Commissioner Murillo casting the lone vote against. Santa Fe County has also approved the deal, but it still requires the town to enact a new dedication of gross receipts tax to fund the service. Social media posts had helped to spread concerns that some commissioners were intending to vote down the tax ordinance and set up a town fire department in just a few weeks.
With Rariden secure in his seat, for now, commissioner skipped the three agenda items relating to the selection of a new commissioner and votes for new commission officers.
Public speakers including former Mayor Bob Sturdy and former town Councilors and Commissioners Jerry Powers, Filandro Anaya and John Abrams all warned that the town was threatening public safety and relationships with the county by collecting local taxes but failing to use those revenues to pay bills owed for the essential services.