BOSQUE FARMS — After nearly a month, the process of filling a vacant council seat for the village of Bosque Farms has begun.

Bosque Farms Mayor Chris Gillespie is asking village residents interested in filling the seat left empty after Ronita Wood’s resignation, to send a letter of interest and other information to him starting Friday, Sept. 18, through Friday, Oct. 2.

Gillespie is taking a bit of a different approach to fill the seat. As per village ordinance and state statute, when a vacancy occurs on a council, the mayor — with the advice and consent of the council — shall appoint someone to fill the seat until the next municipal election.

Wood tendered her resignation after nine years on the council effective immediately on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the regular village council meeting. She was reelected for the final time in November 2023 and was sworn into office in January 2024. Her term ends on Dec. 31, 2027.

What the law doesn’t spell out is how a mayor decides the appointment. Gillespie has decided to form a selection board, which will include former village resident Valencia County Manager Jhonathan Aragon, a business owner in the village, as well as two community members and himself.

“As mayor, after conversations with several people, I have determined that (this) will be the fairest process of selection,” Gillespie said.

The request for interested candidates will be posted in locations the village typically posts meeting agendas — the village hall lobby, Bosque Farms Community Center, Sopa’s Restaurant, Southwest Grill, Peralta Post Office, Benny’s Restaurant and Tractor Supply, the mayor said.

During the two weeks candidates are being sought, Gillespie said he will form the board and interviews with the candidates by board members will be scheduled.

“Once that process is complete, I will rank the candidates to determine the top candidate and present that individual for consideration by the council for confirmation,” he said.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest, a summary of qualifications and experience that outlines how and why they as an applicant believe they would be an outstanding candidate to fill the council seat and how your experience and knowledge will best serve the community, information about themselves including residence address, length of time lived in the village, hobbies, interests, and how your skills and abilities will add to the council’s determinations that are in the best interests of the entire community, and an explanation of any past or present civic duties and responsibilities that would make your transition from resident to council member easy for you to accomplish and supportive of the role for the village.

All information should be sent to Mayor Chris Gillespie at mayor@bosquefarmsnm.gov.

Home

Bosque Farms mayor looking to appoint new councilor