Garcia is appointed to county commission

The waiting finally came to an end last week when the Valencia County manager notified the News-Bulletin an appointment had been made to the vacant District 5 county commission seat.

On Thursday, July 25, Valencia County Manager Danny Monette told the newspaper Democrat Christian Garcia had been appointed to the vacant seat. The governor’s office issued a press release on Monday, July 29, announcing Garcia’s appointment.

He was sworn into office at a special commission meeting on Tuesday, July 30.

The vacancy occurred when Jhonathan Aragon announced his resignation from the District 5 commission seat, effective midnight, Sunday, March 24, to take the deputy county manager position with Valencia County.

According to state law, the governor is the only person with the authority to appoint a replacement to a vacant county commission seat. Despite several inquires as to when the governor’s office would call for letters of interest from those wanting to fill the vacancy — and being told the county needed to send a formal notice of vacancy — neither of those actions happened. Instead, the governor’s office reached out directly to Garcia in early June for an interview.

After Garcia’s interview was reported by the News-Bulletin, the Valencia County Commissioners voted 4-0 at their July 3 meeting to approve a resolution recommending Republican Dante Berry for the appointment.

Berry is the only candidate running for the seat and will be the District 5 commissioner following the November General Election. Berry was interviewed by a staff member of the governor on Friday, July 12.

During a phone interview last week, Garcia said he was happy and excited to be appointed to the seat. Acknowledging he only has a few months on the commission, Garcia said it’s his hope to get some initiatives started at least.

“We need to improve infrastructure, especially on the east side of the county. That will bring businesses which will provide jobs for our youth and bring in tax revenue,” Garcia said. “I only have a few months but maybe I can get the wheel rolling. We need to work together.

“I’ve backed a lot of politicians in Washington (D.C.) so I hope they back us and help our community. We need to work together and help each other.”

Other issues Garcia would like to see addressed include more recreation opportunities for youth, drug rehabilitation facilities and addressing homelessness.

“If anybody has any ideas, I’m here to listen,” he said. “I’m not a guy who knows it all. I’m here to listen to the people of Valencia County.”

Garcia, a Peralta resident, served on the town council from 2007 to 2014. In 2015, Peralta Mayor Bryan Olguin appointed Garcia to the town’s planning and zoning commission. He was on the commission for two years and was reappointed this year.

According to the press release from the governor’s office, Garcia’s appointment to the commission seat began Monday, July 22.