New Rio Communities municipal judge resigns post

RIO COMMUNITIES—Eight months after being sworn into office, Helen Smith has resigned as the Rio Communities municipal judge.

Smith took her letter of resignation into City Hall on Nov. 26, writing, “With regret, I am submitting my resignation as municipal judge for the city of Rio Communities. Thank you for the honor of being your appointed judge from march to November 2024.”

Rio Communities Mayor Joshua Ramsell said during Monday night’s council meeting that Smith had to resign “due to health complications.”

Those interested in being appointed to the position is asked to send a letter of interest to the city of Rio Communities, 360 Rio Communities Blvd., Rio Communities, NM, 87002, or email mmoore@riocommunities.net.

Smith was selected as the new municipal judge after former judge Holly Noelle Chavez resigned from the position at the end of January.

During Monday’s meeting, Councilor Matthew Marquez questioned City Manager Martin Moore about who knew about Smith’s resignation, when it was received and why the council wasn’t informed until more than a week after the letter was given to the city.

“You said you found out on the 26th of November. We didn’t receive an email until the 6th of December. That’s a lot of time,” Marquez said. “On this resignation letter, it states: mayor, city council members and city of Rio Communities. As soon as you received this letter, it should have been sent out to the city council.”

Marquez said he wouldn’t have an issue if it wasn’t “announced” in the city’s newsletter before the council was informed. The newsletter, which is sent to residents to inform them of city issues, news and other relevant information, listed all city offices. Under municipal judge, it states “TBA,” which is an abbreviation for “to be announced.”

“This is a systematic failure of the mayor and the city manager, because the mayor is the boss of the city manager and the day-to-day operations of the city,” Marquez said.

The councilor said someone knew about the judge’s resignation before she handed in her letter because the newsletter was published prior to Nov. 26.

“My recommendation is to have the newsletter approved by the city council before it’s sent out to the public,” Marquez said. “The city council must be aware of any city business, including resignations before it’s sent out to the public.”

When the councilor insisted he will be involved in the newsletter going forward, Moore interrupted, saying, “There is a line between the legislative, policy-making body of this city and the management. I respectfully request that the line be respected.

“I also request that false statements that are not verified are not to be credited. I also respectfully request that members of this governing body stand up and have respect for each other and not say derogatory comments behind their backs when members of the public can hear it. I think it’s wrong.

“I think this is a city that needs to be acting professional, acting courteous and acting respectful,” the city manager said.

Marquez countered, saying the city manager needs to send the council information before it’s made public. Moore said it was.

City Councilor Art Apodaca said it would be appropriate if the newsletter committee members are separate from the council.