Two agendas and the packet for 12/23/2025 Updated

It appears that this event has been cancelled and tentatively rescheduled to Dec. 30, 2025. The first agenda is for the 5:00 pm swearing-in ceremony of newly elected/re-elected town officials. For those who have asked why this takes place before 1 January 2026: State law calls for newly elected officials to be sworn in within a certain number of days following the town’s receipt of the official certifications of election results.  

The second agenda and packet is for the regular 6:00 pm meeting. The items of interest following the consent agenda and departmental reports include:

Item G: which consists of a series of 8 public hearings required to complete several zone changes previously approved by the Town Commission, but for which the Planning Office failed to include the important follow-up of also amending the Town’s official Zone Map. The situation resulted in a situation for property owners akin to a clouded title for a vehicle or real estate. 

Kudos to the town employee who discovered the problem in October of this year and took prompt steps to correct the oversights. Unfortunately, the town incurred more legal fees required for researching the extent of the problem and giving advice on the proper way to correct the situation.  The omission highlights the need for the town to hire qualified employees in all departments. As has been the case for much of the last four years, the new Commission Manager government tried to blame the omission as having been begun during the “The Preeeevioussss Administrashun.” That dog won’t hunt: The blunders first manifested after the change in government.  

Item H: New Business which includes the proposed purchase of new cassettes for the wastewater plant, a change order for the West Venus paving project, and recognition of service for departing Town Commissioner Filandro Anaya. There will also be a discussion and possible action regarding the town’s ongoing problems with meeting IPRA requirements.

Item I: Various legal matters to be discussed during closed session featuring two personnel matters and three of the current suite of lawsuits in which the town is currently involved (Santa Fe County, Campbell Farming Corporation, and Berg et al).  

For those who are concerned about the town’s continuing high legal bills, there are several ways the town can correct the problem by (1) avoiding cronyism and hiring qualified employees, (2) hiring a Town Manager capable of effectively overseeing the activities of each department, (3) electing at least three Town Commissioners who won’t involve the courts in their political differences of opinion, and (4) hiring a legal firm specializing in advising local governments. 

The firm of Robles, Rael, and Anaya served the town well for many years during the tenures of Mayors Calkins, Stearley, Hill, and Bassett. Unfortunately, the first iteration of the Edgewood Town Commission did not appreciate their custom of dispensing prudent legal advice, and so that bridge may have been burned.  

Upcoming Activities: Tuesday January 6, 2026 at 5:00 pm will be an opportunity for the public to meet with Town Commissioners in the meeting chambers at Town Hall.  

Official Town of Edgewood Election Results

The post-election swearing in ceremony will be held on Monday, March 7, 2016 at the Edgewood Community Center # 27 East Frontage Road. 

MESD Election Results:

The Independent is reporting today that Elizabeth Howells won the District 3 contest with 91 votes compared to 36 for Phil Anaya. The front page story, which continues on page 11, shows the mill levy extension passing by a vote of 370-147. These numbers were reported by the County Clerk last night after the polls closed.

Land Commissioner recount has been completed:

Various news sources, including the New Mexican and its sister publication Taos News, are reporting that the recount has confirmed Dunn's win with a margin of 658 votes.  The results are expected to be presented to the Canvassing Board on Thursday, December 18, 2014 for certification. 

Land Commissioner recount gets underway:

The Albuquerque Journal is reporting that some provisional ballots rejected on Election Day may be included in the recount if it can be determined that the voters had attempted but failed to register through MVD. However voters affected by MVD registration problems must be otherwise eligible to vote.

Ruidoso News is reporting that some County Clerks are having trouble obtaining the services of precinct workers because of the delays. 

The recounts are being conducted beginning this morning at the county level, and County Clerks will be provided with MVD information to help them verify which provisional ballots will be counted.  The recount started this morning.  Given the uncertainties surrounding verification of some 873 provisional ballots, the recount may take longer than expected.  The latest tally prior to the recount shows challenger Aubrey Dunn (R) with a 704 vote lead over incumbent Ray Powell (D). 

Recount in Land Commissioner's race to begin tomorrow.

The Albuquerque Journal is reporting that the New Mexico Supreme Court has denied Ray Powell's petition, and lifted its stay earlier today.  State officials expect to begin recounting votes tomorrow. 

Land Commissioner recount has been put on hold:

KRQE news is reporting that incumbent Ray Powell has asked the NM Supreme Court to intervene in the process, and his request was granted.  Arguments calling into question the accuracy of the state's vote counting machines will be heard on Wednesday.  The recount had been due to begin today.  Once the recount process begins, it is expected to take 2-3 days and will cost around $120,000. The state will foot the bill because the vote margin is such that an automatic recount is called for by state law.  The challenger, Aubrey Dunn, leads the tally reported by the NM Secretary of State by 704 votes.

Recount to begin Dec. 8 in the Land Commissioner's race:

The Albuquerque Journal is reporting in a story published earlier today that the canvassing board will order a recount.  The Secretary of State's website was updated on 11/25/2014 at 10:31 AM.  The current vote totals are as follows:  Aubrey Dunn 250,185 and Ray Bennett Powell 249,481. Total votes cast:  499,666. 

No clear results in the Land Commissioner conest:

The difference in the vote tally between challenger Aubrey Dunn and incumbent Ray Powell decreases with each update from the Secretary of State's office. The latest totals published on 11/21/2014 show Dunn in the lead 250,251 to 249,507.  (total votes reported: 499,758)

New numbers for the Commissioner of Public Lands race:

The unofficial tally from the Secretary of State was updated again on 11/17/2014 at 11:36 AM.  The page still shows a difference of less than .5% of total votes cast; however, the margin separating the two candidates has narrowed. By state law, the Canvassing Board must call for a recount at the state's expense if it concurs with the totals reported by the Secretary of State. Several news outlets are reporting that an official decision on the recount is expected on or soon after November 25, 2014.

Update on the General Election:

Unofficial results for New Mexico are available at the website of the New Mexico Secretary of State. The only race still in doubt is the contest for Commissioner of Public Lands. The unofficial tally which was last updated on 11/11/2014 at 11:26 AM shows a difference of less than .5% of total votes cast. By state law, the Canvassing Board must call for a recount at the state's expense if it concurs with the totals reported by the Secretary of State. Several news outlets are reporting that an official decision on the recount is expected on or soon after November 25, 2014.

2014 Unofficial General Election Results for New Mexico:

Unofficial results for New Mexico are available at the website of the New Mexico Secretary of State.  The only race still in doubt is the contest for Commissioner of Public Lands.  The unofficial tally which was last updated on 11/05/2014 at 5:06 PM shows a difference of less than .5% of total votes cast. By state law, the Canvassing Board must call for a recount at the state's expense if it concurs with the totals reported by the Secretary of State.