Commentary: My wife and I moved to Las Cruces in 1969, after my military service in Vietnam, so that I could finish my college education. We liked the town and decided to stay and raise a family here. We have always taken our voting seriously but have not been very politically active otherwise.
This year seems different to me, more important than ever to get my vote right in the local election. So I decided to make a careful review of the incumbent’s record in my district. I live in district 6 and was struck, from the beginning, how often my representative, Ceil Levatino, voted against her colleagues on our city council, starting in 2013 when she cast the sole “no” vote against adoption of the first phase of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the city.
Reading through the minutes of city council meetings in 2014, I was angered by her cynical manipulation and disregard for the city charter when she and her collaborators managed to prevent the minimum wage from going to a public referendum. As I read, it seemed that whenever a resolution involved raising a fee or tax to pay for needed improvements, Ceil was against it.
In 2015 three council members were attacked with a fraudulent recall campaign. Our city clerk refused to certify the recall petitions, and Ceil was the only vote not to accept the clerk’s determination in all three cases.
I like the way my city has improved over the years. I like the way it is run today. From the voting record, I can’t tell whom Mrs. Levatino believes she represents, but I know it isn’t me, and I don’t believe she represents many of my neighbors. The record suggests that her reelection would not contribute to the city’s advancement.