CITY OF GRANTS, N.M. – Fred Rodarte, running for Mayor of the City of Grants, is seeking the public’s assistance in putting her in the city’s highest seat. But just who is Fred Rodarte, and what are his plans for the City of Grants?
Current City Councilor Fred Rodarte is no stranger to the political arena, not only is he a current councilor, but he had previously served on the Grants City Council for 10 years, having served now 12 years in office. Until very recently, the council has been lame duck, accomplishing little as infighting led to three councilors, including Fred Rodarte, not showing up for a meeting.
As a young man, Rodarte was aimless. He didn’t put much value into other people, but after speaking with a friend about a book, he was introduced to bible verses. Before long, Rodarte had purchased a Catholic Bible and was deep into reading. Eventually, on March 15, 1975, he devoted his life to the God.
Devoting his life to the Lord was a turning point, he said. From that moment, his life changed, and he began a bible study in Grants that quickly turned into a full following. “Eventually I created a church,” Rodarte said, explaining that it still operates in the City of Grants. The Way The Truth and The Life ministries was Rodarte’s first church, “I felt like God was pulling me in a different direction,” Rodarte said, so he removed the cloth and gave the ministerial duties of the church to his friend. From there, Rodarte felt a calling to The First Christian Church in Milan, N.M., where he reluctantly took on ministerial duties. Eventually, the pastor for the church quit, and Rodarte took on the responsibilities full time, pastoring for four years. Then, one day, his brother-in-law, former Mayor Ron Ortiz, called Rodarte and asked him if he would serve on the city council, taking Ortiz’ council seat. After speaking with his reluctant wife and praying on the issue, he accepted. Thus began a 10-year run on the council.
Rodarte said that his greatest accomplishments came from relocating the prairie dogs that had infested Grants humanely. Without having to poison or kill the animals, they were taken to sanctuaries and zoos, he said that the offspring of some of these animals were still at the Rio Grande Zoo. Another great accomplishment of his, was the selling and dinosaur bones from the old dinosaur museum and restructuring the museum into the Cibola Senior Citizens Center.
“I don’t like to take credit,” Rodarte said, “I’m glad to work with the council. When you have a good council and mayor you can accomplish a lot. I look at like this,” he said, “Its what you’ve done for the community: Has what you’ve done made it better for the citizens of the city?”
As mayor, Rodarte would like to reestablish the people’s faith in city hall. He discussed candidates for the city council and said that he knows most of the candidates well, but no matter what happens he will do his best to work with the new city council to address the challenges of Grants.
“If I’m lucky enough to step into that seat, everything will mellow out,” Rodarte said. Rodarte said he has already begun working with State Representative Harry Garcia to see what funding is available to work on the city’s ailing pipe infrastructure. “He’s already told me to give him, ‘anything you want or would like to see.’” Rodarte said he has connections that would make his transition into mayor a successful, and touted the endorsements he’s received from former Mayor Ortiz, former Mayor Bill Snodgrass, and former City Manager Laura Jaramillo.
Faith has always guided Rodarte’s life, and it was a large part of his decision to run for office. But, before he could run fully, he needed the consent of his wife. It came as a shock to Rodarte when his wife told him he should run, he expected pushback from her but was surprised when she agreed with the decision. “Right now, of all the candidates running, I have the most experience, I ask citizens to give me a good honest look. I will do the utmost in my ability to work for the betterment of the city,” Rodarte said.