To the Editor:
I am hoping that Grants voters are being thoughtful as they cast their votes for mayor and city council on March 1 (or sooner with early the voting option.) I am still researching the candidates by talking with community members who have had dealings with them and attending a public forum. Although I have not made my fmal decision with respect to the mayoral position, I have definitely decided who I will NOT vote for. There is one candidate who is being carefully groomed and supported by the out-going mayor. This is very concerning to me. Mayor Hicks has put Grants on the map with his divisiveness and public antics, making our town the pitiable laughingstock of New Mexico and beyond. (I have had friends from other states contact me to ask what the heck is going on in "my" town.) He has all but destroyed any semblance of civility and respect in city government and chased away citizens who have volunteered their time in service of the community. From what I have seen of his protege, I would expect a continuation of this toxic behavior. Like Hicks, Eric Garcia seems to enjoy spectacle and bombast and anything that will feed his ego. Also like Hicks, he likes to play dress-up (but has a much more varied choice of costumes. Captain America, indeed. It's also worth noting that if Eric Garcia wins the election, he will pick his replacement on the council. Maybe he'll choose Batman.) If you are among the 30 percent or so in the community that approve of Hicks' performance (according to a recent poll by The Citizen), then Eric Garcia is your guy. If, however, you are interested in a functional city government led by someone other than an autocrat, if you are ready to move toward becoming a community that welcomes diverse ideas and encourages community engagement, then please be thoughtful in casting your vote for anyone else.
Bullying and abuse are not synonymous with leadership. I have no doubt that with skillful, respectful and selfless guidance, Grants could become a community that people talk about in an admiring manner. It's time to say goodbye to Hicks and discourage his surrogate.
Brian Johnson