Saturday, June 20, 2009

After three terms, Belen mayor says he won't be running again

Brent Ruffner News-Bulletin Staff Writer; bruffner@news-bulletin.com

Belen Belen Mayor Ronnie Torres announced he will not run for a fourth consecutive term in March.

Torres, who has played an instrumental role in starting such projects as the Heart of Belen and the city's recent MainStreet designation, spoke publicly of his decision Tuesday as the featured speaker at a Rio Communities Association meeting.

Both projects are aimed at revitalizing Belen's downtown area by maintaining its buildings with historical significance and revamping business districts to attract additional businesses to the area.

"I have been telling people that 12 years is long enough," Torres said in an interview. "I haven't done near what I wanted to do. But I have loved it. It's time to hand the reins over."

He told the Rio Communities Association that he thinks it's time that "other people can grab the baton."

Torres said he contemplated not seeking re-election sometime in the last couple of months and said he wants to see someone with a fresh mindset and new ideas.

"Sometimes, when you want (projects) to move ahead, you get tired," Torres said. "But it has never been about me. I want Belen to grow. I hope (the next mayor) will have a new energy."

The Belen mayor said he wants to run for a city council spot next year while helping the incoming mayor along the way.

But Torres might have to run against two of the city's current councilors for next year's race since the terms of David Lopez and Terese Ulivarri are both up in March.

Torres said he helped bring $7 million in federal dollars to the city during his time in Belen. He started with the council in 1994 and became mayor two years later. But he said there will be a strong learning curve for his successor come March. He said he wants to help the next mayor gain the trust of state and federal organizations to help the city bring back capital outlay dollars.

"It's tough," Torres said. "It's important for (the next mayor) to not make the same mistakes. It's not easy to build relationships with people. It makes it much easier if (organizations) have someone they can trust coming in. But it can be done."

The Belen resident said he is proud of what he has done while in office and said he thinks the city is moving in a positive direction. He said his administration has done a good job at working as a cohesive unit.

"Before, city hall was very dysfunctional," Torres said. "Politics were running rampant. Now, we are moving in the right direction. I owe that to the staff. They have stepped up to the plate and been some of the best councilors that anyone could have."

Lopez extends that gratitude back to Torres.

"He has done a good job," Lopez said. "It's sad to see him go. He helped acquire a lot of projects for the city and cares a lot for the people."

Lopez said the mayor put a halt to political favors such as giving residents free water.

"The mayor never gave out favors," Lopez said. "He stood his ground."

Ulivarri said Torres was a fantastic mayor and brought a positive attitude to the council.

"Under his direction, (the council) held onto the past while planning for the future. He is the hardest working mayor I have ever seen. There are good politicians and bad politicians. He was one of the good ones."

Sally Garley, Belen's city manager, said Torres' term was a successful one.

"Ronnie had a vision," Garley said. "He has been a good influence for the people in this community."

Torres named Councilor and Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Gallegos as the person he wants to carry on that vision.

"Wayne has the heart," Torres said. "He has fresh ideas and knows about the community. He knows the ins and outs so no one can pull anything out from under him, and he treats people fair. He's a good people person."

Gallegos said he is considering running for mayor, but won't make a decision until closer to the election.

"I don't want it to be a distraction," Gallegos said. "We need to continue to work together and not take away from our citizens."

In addition, Gallegos credited Torres for the expansion of both the city police and fire departments and building up infrastructure in Belen.

"He's done a good job," Gallegos said.

Councilor Rudy Jaramillo, who ran against Torres for the mayorship at the last election, could not be reached for comment. Numerous messages were left and visits made to his place of business.

Torres said leaving his current position will be like a weight lifted off his shoulders. But Torres said he will continue to be involved in events such as the Christmas Festival and the Rancho Cielo project.

The mayor listed staff and his family as essential ingredients during his tenure as mayor. But he said he regrets not being able to finish all of the city's projects before his time in office is up.

"I couldn't have done it without my department heads," Torres said. "There's no way."

Torres said he has tried to be morally and ethically sound while in office.

"(Ethics) is the strongest thing I have believed in," Torres said. "I have tried to do that 1,000 percent."

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