By Jennifer Garcia
jgarcia@riograndesun.com
Managing Editor

April Fool’s Day ushered in change for the City of Española, as new Mayor Dennis Tim Salazar, Councilors Manuel Martinez, Aaron Salazar, Stephen Salazar and Justin Salazar-Torrez, as well as Municipal Judge Joseph W. Madrid got sworn into office.

The convento on the Española plaza was packed and attendees flowed out the door, as seating was limited. The Española Fire Department color guard presented the colors and Ohkay Owingeh 1st Lt. Matthew J. Martinez offered an opening prayer before the ceremony, after which Andrea Michelle Lucero sang the “National Anthem.”

The mistress of ceremonies was former Public Regulation Commissioner and former Santa Fe County clerk Valerie Espinoza. Before each newly-elected candidate took their oath of office, former Española mayor and New Mexico State Auditor Joseph Maestas reflected on the city of Española and its future. He spoke about his time in office and what is was like growing up in Española.

Following Maestas’s comments, Municipal Judge Joseph W. Madrid was sworn in by his father, Rio Arriba Magistrate Judge Joseph Madrid.

“Four years ago, I was just some judge’s son,” Joseph W. Madrid said after he took the oath of office. “The city took a risk on me. Four years later, they did it again. I want to thank my family for supporting me on this.”

He said he will do his job to the best of his ability, just as he swore on the Bible to do.

District 1 Councilor Aaron Salazar was next to take the oath and was sworn in by Rio Arriba Magistrate Judge Alexandra Naranjo.

He thanked his friends, family and constituents and said “it’s an honor and a privilege to serve you all.” He said his constituents will likely see him around his district, since he lives in the area, so they can feel free to pull him over to chat or for a cup of coffee.

Newly elected District 2 Councilor Stephen Salazar was also sworn in by Magistrate Judge Joseph Madrid.

He didn’t prepare a statement, but said he’s ready to work.

“… I know that when someone calls me councilor, it’s a big honor,” he said. “It’s an honor to be called councilor. I come from a family of public servants. It’s in my blood, my DNA to be a public servant.”

Stephen Salazar also mentioned to the audience that he is a cousin of Dennis Tim Salazar. At the beginning of his comments, he referred to the new mayor as primo.

Santa Fe Magistrate Judge Melissa Mascareñas swore in District 3 City Councilor Manuel Martinez.

He thanked everyone in attendance, as well as the current councilors. He also thanked God for giving him the strength and courage to get back in and “volunteer.”

“I come from a family of volunteers,” Martinez said.

He considers being a councilor somewhat of a volunteer position, despite having to be elected for the position. He also thanked his family and friends for their support.

Incumbent District 4 Councilor Justin Salazar-Torrez, who ran unopposed, was sworn in by Magistrate Judge Joseph Madrid and said he was pleased to have his family there because when he was sworn in as an Española School Board member in January, he wasn’t able to have all of them there because his son was in the hospital and his wife was with him.

“This one hits just a little bit different because my wife, my little dude and my two daughters are here with me,” he said.

He said his family gives him good advice and he couldn’t do it without them.

Applause erupted as Dennis Tim Salazar approached the front of the convento to be sworn in by Magistrate Judge Joseph Madrid.

“It’s an honor to be sworn in as your next mayor of the beautiful city of Española,” he said. “I’m truly humbled and ready to get to work.”

He thanked the residents of Española and everyone who believed in him, to include his campaign team: former Española mayor Javier Sanchez, Salazar-Torrez, District 4 City Councilor Samuel LeDoux, Nadine Trujillo, Cynthia Lentini, Cory Lewis and Assistant Fire Chief John Wickersham.

“I just want to say thank you to all the people who supported me and all the people who did not support me,” Dennis Tim Salazar said. “Because at this point, we are beyond the election. Now we are one, the city of Española. Let’s all commit ourselves to this beautiful city, doing our part.”

He called upon the residents, business owners and anyone else who wants to see the betterment of the city to work together.

“We have so much work to do,” Dennis Tim Salazar said. “We all deserve a better Española. Yes, we can.”

Executive Positions

Following remarks from the newly elected officials, Dennis Tim Salazar announced that he filled the city’s top executive positions.

Michael Ortiz is the interim city manager. He has extensive experience in financial operations and analysis and business development and served as executive director for the Pueblo of Isleta Gaming Regulatory Agency. He was also the corporate compliance manager for Tsay Corporation/Ohkay Hotel Casino, according to a press release from the city.

“His background also includes serving as Executive Director for the Santa Clara Pueblo Gaming Commission and General Manager of the San Felipe Casino Hollywood,” the press release said. “He has served as the Vice-Chairman of the New Mexico Responsible Gaming Committee, and the New Mexico Association of Indian Gaming Commission.”

Española City Police Lt. Cody Martinez will serve as the interim police chief and Española Assistant Fire Chief will serve as the interim fire chief.

Martinez brings more than 14 years of city experience to the position, while Wickersham has been with the city for nearly 19 years.

“Wickersham is expected to be named Fire Chief at the organizational meeting, and Mayor Salazar expects to interview candidates for the Chief of Police position immediately,” the press release said.

Former Española city clerk Angelica Serrano will serve as the interim city clerk. She previously held the position in 2020 and 2021 and has about five years of experience.

City legal services will be handled by Santa Fe law firm Long, Kromer and Associates, on an on-call basis until further notice, the press release said.

The city’s organizational meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 14 at city hall and is open to the public.