Alamogordo, NM — Public comments at Tuesday night’s Alamogordo City Commission meeting turned sharply confrontational as residents and former officials pressed commissioners on the hiring of Robert Stockwell as city manager, with former Mayor Susan Payne engaging in a pointed exchange with Commissioner Josh Rardin over the recruitment process and prior statements about another candidate. 

The session highlighted ongoing tensions around transparency, chain-of-command issues, capital project priorities, and lingering questions from earlier hiring controversies.

Former Mayor Payne Confronts Rardin on Recruitment Timeline and Hernandez Comments

In one of the most heated moments, former Mayor Susan Payne directly addressed Commissioner Josh Rardin regarding his role in recruiting Stockwell. Payne alleged that Rardin began the recruitment process last year without notifying the rest of the board. Rardin not handling the pressure of being confronted publicly with the truth threatened Mrs Payne with removal from the police department from the meeting.

Rardin has been identified in multiple reports and public discussions as a key figure advocating for Stockwell’s return, despite the former manager’s controversial history with the city (previously terminated in the 1990s).

Payne also referenced a prior statement attributed to Rardin indicating he would never hire Dr. Stephanie Hernandez. Alamogordo Town News possesses a copy of that statement, which was part of a prior IPRA (Inspection of Public Records Act) inquiry that had been under review for months. That inquiry prompted a 2025 investigation into Commissioner Rardin. 

According to reports and records referenced in the meeting context, an independent counsel reviewed the earlier recruitment process and deemed it tainted. This led to a “do-over” search. The commission ultimately voted 7-0 to hire Dr. Hernandez. However, a formal contract was never offered to her, contributing to the subsequent leadership vacuum and the push for Stockwell.

Payne’s comments underscored concerns that the current process lacked the transparency and full board involvement expected in such a critical hire.

Rardin in the meeting then went on the record and issued a statement repeating multiple times an employee number or reference number to a delinquent account he was alleging was owed by the former mayor. He repeated the issue multiple times into the microphone. 

Commissioner Rardin committed that maybe an illegal act by calling out a misunderstood debt. “Okay and also I’d like to add a customer ID number 3984 needs to be pulled and because she was just here in the room and she needs to pay her bill…. Okay yep she said you could approve it with us removing those. Okay and also like I said customer number 3984. If you need her number I think we can get it for you.
The dollar amount on 3984 was $520 and is being investigated as to what it is.” The former mayor said she has received no notice of debt due but if she has one she will happily pay. Rardin abused his position of authority and created yet another incident that could end with yet another lawsuit or tort claim against the city with that exchange. 

Additional Public Scrutiny Echoes Similar Concerns

These exchanges built on earlier public comments that had already focused heavily on the Stockwell contract (Item 7 on the consent agenda).

Katie Owens questioned the lack of an open posting for the city manager position—unlike recent attorney roles—while seeking specific dates for Stockwell’s application and resume, details on other applicants, and justification for the reported $180,000 salary package, which exceeds averages for comparable communities. She also highlighted the treatment of Dr. Hernandez and called for the contract to be removed from consent for proper vetting.

Beth Crabtree echoed these points, noting business experience against rehiring previously dismissed employees and urging commissioners to prioritize constituent wishes over personal preferences. She referenced the past handling of Al Hernandez’s appointment as an example of disregarding public or prior votes.

Kim Great White Owl Murillo described the process as opaque and corrupt, citing unanswered emails to commissioners about selection criteria and potential conflicts. She referenced the ongoing Open Meetings Act litigation and called for public release of candidate criteria and scoring.

Supportive Voices and Calls to Move Forward

Not all comments were adversarial. Jan Brending accepted the hiring outcome and urged commissioners to allow the new city manager to lead without bypassing the chain of command. She also advocated reprioritizing the Dudley School renovation ahead of Balloon Park improvements in the capital plan, citing the much lower cost of the Dudley project (~$440,000) versus millions budgeted for the park.

Carrie Tays Wagner offered positive remarks, praising two young engineering department employees for their respectful work in the community and calling for greater openness and involvement from commissioners to foster positivity.

Sherry (Sherra) Atkinson kept her remarks concise, expressing disappointment with how the prior meeting on the matter was handled.

Broader Context of Division

The exchanges reflect deeper divisions in Alamogordo governance, including prior allegations of insider influence in hiring processes, leadership turnover, and disputes over transparency. Local coverage has documented multiple rounds of city manager searches marked by controversy, with the reversal of support for Dr. Hernandez (following the 7-0 vote) and the subsequent pursuit of Stockwell drawing particular scrutiny.

Commissioners have faced calls to ensure any hiring follows proper protocol, with some residents warning of broader consequences for public trust if concerns are not addressed.

The meeting proceeded after the comments, with the Stockwell contract remaining on the agenda amid the debate. Updates on any further actions regarding the contract, responses to the questions raised, or related legal matters. As the meeting ended additional calls to recall 4 of the commissioners took a robust turn to a planned organizational meeting to review next steps in a recall effort.  Stockwell was hired via a 5 to 2 vote with Commissioner Warren Robinson and Mayor McDonald opposing due to the failures in transparency with the process. 

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