Valencia County clerk criticized for actions

A former Republican Party chairman for Valencia County is questioning whether the current Valencia County clerk is able to perform his duties.

“To many, perception is reality and the perception of the clerk’s office is that of no confidence,” said Michael Candelaria, former chairman of the Valencia County Republican Party at the Oct. 2 Valencia County Commission meeting. “I am very disappointed in Mike Milam and his performance.”

Candelaria referenced the missed canvassing deadline of a recent, all-mail special election for a 3 mill levy for Los Lunas Schools as one reason for his disappointment and concern.

He also questioned whether Milam’s personal relationship with his chief deputy clerk, Brenda Green, was a conflict of interest. Green, the former Union County clerk, was appointed to the position by Milam in early July.

Saying his concerns were nonpartisan, Candelaria said while Milam as an elected official has “liberties” that county employees don’t, the county’s code of conduct clearly prohibits relationships between supervisors and subordinates.

“I would like to ask the commission to please ask human resources to investigate that,” Candelaria said. “I’ve talked to a lot of people who feel what’s going on in the clerk’s office puts a bad view on the county.”

In a phone interview after the meeting, Milam said he did make Valencia County Commission Chairman Gerard Saiz and Valencia County Manager Danny Monette aware of his relationship with Green.

“They were fully aware of the situation before it happened,” Milam said.

Monette confirmed Milam notified himself, Saiz and the county attorneys of the relationship before Green began working for the county on July 8.

Since state statute allows county elected officials to appoint a chief deputy of their choosing, Monette said the matter was “out of my hands. There’s nothing I can do. He’s an elected official.”

Candelaria expanded on his concerns about the clerk in a phone interview, noting that Milam is running for reelection, and Green will be involved in administering the November election.

Milam said he doesn’t intend to take any kind of leave in the run up to the November election. While there is nothing requiring him to take leave, most clerks running for reelection have done so in recent elections.

“I won’t be out campaigning,” Milam said. “I’ve done mailings and put up signs. That’s it. It’s up to the voters and God.”

Candelaria also questioned the staffing level within the county’s bureau of elections and the employees experience in running a presidential election.

“I know some of the people there and I’m not knocking them down, but even they, themselves, will tell you they’ve never been through a presidential election,” he said. “Nobody knows what’s going on. Mike and Brenda don’t know canvassing rules. Look at their performance; we’ve seen it in action.

“Normally, I’m very confident in our election integrity but they have zero experience. We have to think about the fact that Mike himself has never been through a presidential election. He was elected during one, but never managed one.”

Before Milam was elected county clerk in 2020, he worked as a realtor. Milam is a certified county clerk and is the secretary of the New Mexico Association of Counties Clerk’s Affiliate.

Green was also elected as Union County clerk in 2020. Prior to that, she served as a special deputy clerk for Union County. She was the chairwoman of the clerk’s affiliate for a year and a half, stepping down in June, and the affiliate’s treasurer since 2020.

Candelaria said he’s also upset that while Milam holds the office of clerk, he puts down the people who work in the office.

“He has said it is a dead-end job. He has told the staff to get educated and find better jobs,” Candelaria said.

In a July 24 email provided by Candelaria, which he obtained through a public records request, Milam writes to former BOE administrator Candace Teague that when he was elected, “I told you and the staff that everyone was in a dead in jobs {sic} and I suggested that all get an education and seek better jobs ... I strongly encourage you to take a better job opportunity and don’t let it pass you by.”

Teague tendered her resignation from the county on June 29, effective Aug. 2.

Since Milam took office, Teague and three other employees have resigned from BOE, citing poor leadership, a hostile, unhealthy work environment and disrespect from Milam as their reasons for leaving.

Milam said three employees have left the department and he is, “happy for them. I’ve encouraged them to further their education and move up.”

Currently, according to the county’s human resources office, the clerk’s office has five positions budgeted, not including the clerk, and is fully staffed. The bureau of elections has three positions budgeted, one of which is vacant. One BOE employee is on leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and is expected to return in about eight weeks.

As someone who helped get Milam elected during his time as the Valencia County Republican party chairman, Candelaria said he truly believes when people call for term limits, we have them.

“They’re called elections. If someone is put in office and they fail, we have to vote them out. Mike Milam has failed.”

Candelaria said blind allegiance was often expected of party members, forcing them to support bad candidates.

“I care more about the county as a business owner than anything else. I’d much rather be a ticket splitter than shoot myself in the foot cause, ‘Oh, they’re a Republican.’ This is nothing personal,” Candelaria said. “His performance is truly lacking. Somebody has to say something.”