Authoritarian Regime Takes Over Torrance County

At the January 23rd Torrance County Commission meeting, in a bold move, Commissioner Leroy Candelaria clearly stated that no public comment would be allowed. 

Candelaria refused public comment involving yet another funding request by Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority (EVSWA) stating that he expected factual information and would not allow any opinion on matters involving EVSWA. 

Perhaps Mr. Candelaria has slept through the commission meetings he attended prior to being seated and has failed to read the news papers, but the DuCharme family has repeatedly tried to bring facts and figures to the Torrance County Commission since May of last year.  More on EVSWA in another post.

Candelaria also stated that on matters involving EVSWA "the commission would hold public hearings" before taking any action - yet without public hearing or public comment, Candelaria and the Board of Commissioners granted EVSWA $16,000.00.

Commissioner Candelaria further refused public comment through out the entire meeting by abusing Robert's Rules of Order.  Without any discussion from the floor (the public),  Candelaria called for a do pass motion and second on every agenda item and only then allowed discussion from the commission members.    

According to Mr. Candelaria, he is putting his foot down and wants to hear only documented facts from the public continuing with a statement that could be interpreted as individual opinions are of no interest to the Torrance County Commission.  

Commissioner's Leanne Tapia and Lonnie Freyburger once again failed to champion the publics perceived right of participation - both remaining silent on the matter. 

If one were to name the new Torrance County Commission a good choice may be an Authoritarian Regime which is defined as political authority concentrated in a small group of politicians usually opposed to individualism and libertarianism. 

The Commission Chair runs the meetings, and yes, as hard as it may be to swallow, those in elected office have no requirement to allow any member of the public to speak.  The commission has the right, if you will, to silence public input in matters involving taxes, private property rights, passage of laws (ordinances), policies and procedures - decisions that affect each and every citizen in this county. 

However, in a democracy, the public not only expects to be heard, they believe it to be a right that those in elected office should honor, uphold, and protect to the highest degree, isn't that what democracy is all about?

This isn't the government Candelaria remembers, a Commission that had minimal to no involvement from the public - and the hat in hand approach to elected officials is fast becoming a thing of the past.  The public knows what each commission member promised when they ran for office, the public is keeping a tally, and I bet that not one voter recalls seating a king or a queen to the commission.    

The public will be heard either at open public meetings of the Torrance County Commission or our Commissioners can read all about it in our local news paper, blogs, social networking and word of mouth - the kiss of death to any aspiring politician.  

Based on Commission performance at the January 23rd meeting, the Torrance County Commission believes that democracy and open, accountable government belongs stuffed in the storage closet at the back of the building. 

 

Edwina (George) Hewett, Mountainair
Constituent of Leroy Candelaria