Government accountability in local politics is usually an elected official holding themselves accountable for their actions. The Alamogordo city commission is trying by allowing commissioners impose a civil fine if anyone on the commission breaks the code of conduct.
But is the new ordinance targeting anyone in particular?
The new ordinance would create a code of conduct for all members of the city commission. If a member were to break the code, a super majority would be allowed to impose a punishment that could range from a warning to a 500- dollar civil fine. Mayor Pro-Temp Robert Rentschler proposed the idea.
“If a commission member, don’t care if it’s the Mayor, Mayor Pro-Temp, commission member,” Rentschler said. “If that person does something to the detriment of Alamogordo this is something we can do.”
The Ordinance was brought up after 8 Hostile Work environment complaints were filed against Galea for comments she made in the local paper. In which, she referred to a city employee allowing friends and family to slip on their water bills, as stealing.
“If I make a mistake, I will admit I made a mistake and I won’t do it again,” Galea said. “If I have said something that has been offensive, or derogatory, or in any way disparaging to the community, I will make up for that. But I do not believe I have done that in any way.”
Galea is the first elected mayor in Alamogordo, after the public decided in a charter election in 2012 to vote on a Mayor-At- Large. In the past, the Commission appointed a Mayor that could be removed at any time.
“This is the first time the City of Alamogordo has elected a Mayor-at- Large, the first female Mayor,” Galea said. “We did have a female Mayor for 2 months it was somewhat of a ceremonial position and title, but I am the first female mayor and elected at large. I think it is going to take some getting used to.”
Rentschler says this is not directed specifically at her.
“This is not just necessarily directed at our mayor,” Rentschler we’ve had some problems with her for sure, but it is not directed at her, per say, right now. This is a tool that needs to be put in that future commissions will have.”
Galea says that as elected officials they should be trusted to police themselves for wrongdoings, and adjust based on comments from other commission members. She suggested a code of ethics be put in place of this ordinance.
The issue was tabled at the latest commission meeting, so the city attorney could clear up some of the writing.
