City Officials Sworn In

CITY OF GRANTS, N.M.

“It’s a new day in Grants” said newly elected Mayor Erik Garcia, as he was sworn in with two new members of the Grants City Council on April 1, 2022. The new government appears to mark a shift in the way Grants city government has been working, adding a woman to the council for the first time in two years after male-dominated stagnation led to what can only be described as a Lame Duck government. New Grants Mayor Garcia seeks to work with his fellow councilors and advance the interests of Grants, New Mexico. The only member of the previous government present for this ceremony was Mayor Garcia, who served previously as a city councilor. Mayor Garcia will helm the new government, at a meeting on April 21 he will appoint a Mayor Pro Tem from the city council.

Councilman Fred Rodarte becomes the senior councilor in the City Council Chambers, joining him will be Councilwoman Beverly Michael and Councilman George Garcia as freshman members of the council.

The Honorable Elise Larson performed the swearing-in duties. After swearing in Mayor Garcia and Councilmembers Michael and Garcia, she performed her final duty as Municipal Judge by swearing in The Honorable Michael Cavin to the position. Turning over the gavel, a history defining legacy of service for the City of Grants came to an end.

Mayor Garcia

In the span of two years, Erik Omar Garcia went from city councilor to Mayor of Grants. With pride, Garcia beams that he is the first Republican mayor of Grants in about 50 years. The office of mayor is a non-partisan position, but his story remains one of triumph. In 2018 Garcia ran a feverish campaign to become a Cibola County Commissioner, missing the mark, he didn’t give up. Garcia ran for a City Council position in 2020 process of government and coming up with plans to effect a positive change on the City of Grants, he worked hard and narrowly clinched the election for mayor in 2022.

The election was not easily won, after a recount, the City of Grants was affirmed of holding a perfect election and the winner was Erik Garcia.

On April 2, Garcia went for a walk with the Cibola Citizen, highlighting many of plans for the City of Grants, see that story in the April 13 edition of the Cibola Citizen. He pointed out many av enues for growth that he has identified, all parts of his campaign to bring economic growth.

“I want to thank my wife, and my kids. I’m the mayor of Grants, I still don’t believe it,” Mayor Garcia said, “I have a game plan, after talking to the city council, I learned they have similar loves and interests for the city as me… I believe in the next four years; we will make positive headway and get where we need to be.”

By the end of this four years, Garcia said he will judge his success based off the city Gross Receipts Tax, he wants to see it increase while making recreational opportunities more widely available. Mayor Garcia said, “It’s a new day in the City of Grants.”

Councilwoman Michael

A businesswoman, Councilwoman Beverly Michael said that current events pushed her to win. Her father was Merhage Michael, a former mayor of the city. Leadership has been in her blood, so much so that she can envision what the celebration for his victory was like.

Michael thanked her family and close friends for their support, “I promise to be the best that I can. I’m ready and willing, and I think we’re all going to work together. I think we’ve all made that commitment to the unity that we need among our city council and among our citizens of Grants. I love Grants, its such a wonderful place to live. I say it’s always been good to me; I want to be good back.”

Councilman Garcia

A community leader for many years, a veteran and former MCJROTC instructor for Grants High School. Councilman George Garcia wanted to give a special thank you to his mother, Connie Garcia, and his wife Vickie Garcia; “Within these two women, my entire family is represented.”

In his short speech, Garcia said that he is going to work hard for the City of Grants.

The Honorable Municipal Judge Cavin

Municipal Judge Michael Chris is stepping into an important position essential to ensuring the Grants City Charter is in compliance and helping to enforce city law.

“I want to thank my wife, Elaine Cavin, my children, family and friends, and I want everybody to know that I will do my best I can to be an impartial and professional judge for the City of Grants.”