Rio Rancho backs pay raise after charter defeat
The Rio Rancho Governing Body passes an ordinance to raise mayor and council pay and add the municipal judge, four months after voters rejected a March charter amendment. The move bases salaries on median city income, not mean, potentially easing full-time status costs while leaving current officials unaffected unless re elected. Councilor Shelby Smith sponsors the measure, aiming to resolve the issue before he leaves office.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rio
Charter Committee
Dave Heil
Council
New Mexico
Rio Rancho
Shelby Smith
Marlene Feuer
Tax money funds raises for Rio Rancho leaders
Reader letters accuse the city council and mayor of squandering funds and approving pay raises against residents’ wishes. The writer likens the action to taxation without representation and questions accountability, ending with a provocative call for action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rio Rancho
voters urged to support mayor pay raise in Rio Rancho letters
Rio Rancho editor Joe Kringler reports readers criticize councilors Chuck Wilkins and Mark Scott for their stance on a proposed 2018 mayoral raise. Readers claim the current salary is too low and argue the measure reflects broader government growth, urging residents to vote and engage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Observer
Chuck Wilkins
Mark Scott
Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho mayor pay reform focuses on duties not kisses
Guest column argues the mayor’s role and pay should reflect duties and local growth, citing 1110 plus jobs, state funding gains, and $2 million recovered from the Army Corps. Proposes tying pay to median household income and compares with Las Cruces and Santa Fe.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rio Rancho
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Washington, D.C
Observer
Desensitized America fuels violence debate and loss
The writer condemns recent police murders in Dallas Baton Rouge and names Alton Sterling and Philando Castile while arguing societal desensitization to violence. He blames media social networks and screens for eroding face to face dialogue and human connection as the root of escalating violence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Orleans
Minnesota
Dallas
Baton Rouge
Alton Sterling
Philando Castile
Anong
Viewpoints welcome diverse submissions for community dialogue
The Observer invites letters and guest columns from all perspectives to foster spirited, respectful discussion. Submissions are published as submitted, without staff fact-checking or corrections, highlighting the broad range of issues facing the community.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Observer
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Joe Kringler
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Appice
Digtal Schwenger
Las Cruces
Santa Fe
Ece
Chevy
Everett Rio Rancho
America
FAW
CONG
Roy
Roy Slezak
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