Townhall Over Grants Manager’s Contract

GRANTS, N.M. – Mayor Erik Garcia held a Townhall to discuss the firing of former city manager Donald Jaramillo on August 3.

The townhall was scheduled to be part of a special City council meeting, because Council Member Beverly Michael, George Garcia, and Fred Rodarte were not present, there was no quorum. Mayor Garcia and Councilman Zachery Gutierrez were the only members that attended the town hall. With no quorum, a meeting could not be conducted regarding the city manager’s contract.

The townhall meeting brought out members of the community who wanted to speak about the firing of Donald Jaramillo. A former city employee came forward and spoke about why she thinks staff will feel the fallout of Jaramillo’s firing. Two individuals asked the mayor about funding for the Community Pantry and Grants Rodeo Grounds, they were concerned about funding for these projects. Mayor Garcia said the budget would be unaffected by the latest crisis at city hall.

The townhall was a meeting with no rules, Mayor Garcia and Councilor Guttierez allowed residents to express their opinions with no restrictions on time. Residents with opinions across the spectrum came forward, each allowed to comment with the occasional heckle from the audience.