The good old days in Sunland Park? I think not
Heath Haussamen
Jesus ‘Ruben’ Segura’s 12-year tenure as mayor does not represent the good old days in Sunland Park. It’s just another page in a scandal-plagued chapter in the city’s history that needs to come to an end.
Listening to former Sunland Park Mayor Jesus “Ruben” Segura speak recently, you’d think his tenure as leader of the scandal-plagued city represented better times.
It’s true that then-Gov. Bill Richardson and the state pumped a bunch of money into Sunland Park while Segura was mayor, but that doesn’t mean the city’s government was acting with integrity and transparency.
No, Segura operated in the dark and was a master of backroom deals; he contributed to the culture in which the scandal currently plaguing the city was born.
Segura opted against seeking re-election to the mayor’s office in 2008. Now, with the city in turmoil because of the recent criminal charges brought against the former mayor pro tem, city manager and nine others – and with Segura hoping Sunland Park will elect him to the state Senate seat being vacated by Cynthia Nava – he’s back.
He showed up a recent city council meeting, which ended up being delayed because the crowd was too big for the venue and got rowdy, and demanded that the council set up a microphone for those outside to hear what was going on. Not doing so, he correctly pointed out, would violate the Open Meetings Act, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News. You can watch Segura shouting at the council courtesy of KFOX-TV in El Paso.
In a separate interview with KFOX, Segura said the city needs “a change in governance,” talked about the days when he was mayor, and said seeing what’s happening now “really hurts.”
He also said, in response to a question about possible state takeover of some city functions, that, “sometimes Sunland Park is a forgotten community, and sometimes I feel the state needs to get more involved.”
State could have, but didn’t, take over in 2003
Here’s what I wrote in February about the time the state could have, but didn’t, take control of the city away from Segura in 2003:
“Why shouldn’t Sunland Park operate this way? It’s done it before, been caught doing it, and somehow avoided consequences. In 2003, the State Auditor’s Office released a damning report that included findings of fiscal mismanagement surrounding a $2 million loan and violations of the state Open Meetings Act, procurement code, and nepotism laws. Then-State Auditor Domingo Martinez recommended that the Department of Finance and Administration suspend elected officials and take over the city.
“But an investigation that began before Bill Richardson took office instead went away quietly during Richardson’s first year as governor.
“You see, in Sunland Park they’re masters of political theater – as evidenced by strippergate and other recent incidents. A town full of Hispanic Democrats opposed Richardson’s involvement in its battle with Doña Ana County over water. Led by the mayor, residents burned Richardson campaign T-shirts in front of El Paso TV cameras.
“And – surprise! – the special audit went away, and Richardson and Sunland Park officials became friends again. Martinez was appalled, but also powerless.
“I’m oversimplifying the way it went down, but the reality is that Richardson had the evidence to justify stepping in and the authority to clean up this mess, but he chose not to do it.”
Details of the 2003 special audit
I recently got my hands on the 2003 audit report. You can read it here. Then-State Auditor Domingo Martinez’s office found that Segura and the city council:
- “Willfully violated State laws with regard to the Open Meetings Act; Inspection of Public Records Act; State Constitution anti-donation clause; State statutes regarding loans, nepotism and residency; Procurement Code; and Mileage and Per Diem Act.”
- “Willfully violated DFA fiscal regulations.”
- “Willfully failed to perform duties imposed by the laws that the secretary of the DFA is charged with enforcing.”
More detail:
- Minutes of meetings weren’t kept in many instances; when they were, they often weren’t approved in the timely manner required by law. Those were among dozens of Open Meetings Act violations the auditor identified.
- Purchase orders were issued after purchases were already made.
- The city wasn’t reporting income to the IRS.
- The city was in some instances overrunning budgets. In other instances, it was not even establishing a budget.
What was going on? Segura and a council that, for at least part of his tenure, was aligned against him, were fighting for control of the city. They broke laws in their efforts to wrestle control of certain issues from each other. Segura, for example, violated the Open Meetings Act to try to keep the council in the dark about what he was doing. And he violated state law by refusing to take action on council-approved items.
Segura, a master of politics, faced no consequences. Neither did city councilors.
Another page in a chapter that needs to end
I will say that Segura was a champion for his community as mayor. He was operating within a system in which political factions were accustomed to fighting over power for their own selfish reasons, and he negotiated a great deal of money from Richardson for infrastructure and other improvements in Sunland Park.
He also led Sunland Park into an agreement with Doña Ana County to end years of legal fighting and create a joint utility to help growth in the region.
I’m not saying residents of Senate District 31 shouldn’t vote for Segura. That’s up to you to decide. I’m simply responding to Segura’s recent remarks and actions by pointing out what really happened. A man who has complained about Open Meetings Act violations by the current city council used to intentionally violate that very act all the time.
What Sunland Park needed when Segura was mayor – and still needs – is an end to the days of backroom deals, nepotism and general lawlessness. Segura mastered that system and used it to bring some good things to Sunland Park, but he was still part of and perpetuated a system that led to the outrageous actions of the slate of city officials currently facing criminal charges.
Who knows what else happened on Segura’s watch?
No, Segura’s 12-year tenure does not represent the good old days in Sunland Park. It’s just another page in a chapter in the city’s history that needs to come to an end.
Arturo thank you for your thoughtful response, I appreciate your passion and desire to see your community do better. I think you will find there are many of us that share your concerns and stand ready to help any way we can. It is a pleasure to have an exchange with someone who doesn’t resort to name calling or personal attacks I appreciate that from you, it makes it a lot easier to want to work with someone when they approach issues this way. If you have any suggestions into what I can do to assist you please let me know and thank you for caring, it means a lot to me.
Hey Arturo, no worries. Pushing back keeps me honest. Feel free to challenge me any time.
I do think the facts speak for themselves in this case. But I wholeheartedly agree that there are lots of good people in Sunland Park. And I think they have, right now, what may be an unprecedented opportunity to take control of their government and make sure it’s working for them. I’m just trying to start discussions that help that process along.
Ok Mr Foley, you may be a little right. I’m a little bummed at all these politicians. Some have made some choices that have let me down on issues that impact me and folks in my community. And yes maybe I’m wrong about Heath, but it’s hard when I see a banner of Cervantes when I’m directed to who contributes and it just makes me wonder, like we all wonder when an individual or corporation gives money to a candidate or blogger what does that get you. In this case I have to agree with you that I believe Heath’s heart is in the right place. I apologize Heath, if I keep pushing back, but that’s how I feel. I don’t have all the facts. I do know that all the folks I mentioned had a footprint in the Sunland Park community and all should share in the criticism of its demise. I would want those in elected positions of power to stand with their communities and precincts that elect them and try to be part of the solution. I’m not from Sunland Park, but I have worked with good people who are honest and have integrity and want to be part of a vision that will be Southern New Mexico. We have a tremendous opportunity to bring infrastructure, quality of life communities that protect the water and air and which ultimately means jobs. I just don’t think we have to be so insensitive when we speak about Sunland Park or it’s people. I know you know how it feels when the media dogs you… I remember you. You’re a good man, we all make mistakes. I admit I am bummed. I’m not well informed on the audit stuff and what it means. But let’s shine a light on all of it. Let us hold all of them accountable. These folks are asking for our votes we should know about the whole story. This coming primary election is huge and I’m tired of voting for the best of the two evils.
Heath you may be right on all this and maybe you’re not. I don’t know yet. It’s the timing and the way it felt in my heart that I had to speak up…. I may be wrong… and I may be right. Keep up the good work.
Arturo Uribe
Arturo I am shocked at the change your posts have taken in such a short time? First you try to compliment Heath and nudge him a little but the more he pushes back the clearer your agenda has become! Clearly you are a supporter of the individual mentioned in the above article yet you offer NOTHING in the way of proof to say Heath wrote anyting wrong?????? Now all you want to do is question Heath about Cervantes and Garcia, if you have something bring it forward to Heath and I am sure he will run with it, something other then your opinion and thoughts that is. Bring forward an Audit report like Heath uses to back up his article or an AG Investigation letter or something other then the world according to Arturo?
I have disagreed with Heath before but to say he is pushing an agenda in this article is crazy talk. Maybe folks like you Arturo that have such a passion for Sunland Park should stand up now, finally, and take your city back from the years of coruption that has existed down there and will continue if people like you refuse to acknowledge the past.
My loyalties are to communities that have been voiceless and held down because of the people in power who use them. I know Cervantes, Segura and Garcia. They are good people. They are all also politicians. Which is where is where I felt your article was leaning towards bringing “sunlight” to by mentioning the” good old days of Sunland Park” and then criticizing the former Mayor. I haven’t read an article yet that implicates Segura in this mess. What I do know and I may be wrong, is that the house crumbled in Sunland after Laura Garcia lost a job and her Mom Rep. Garcia went to investigate. At that time I believe Moralez was Manager and Cervantes was somehow involved with possibly getting a contract to be City attorney and the next thing we all know by the then City attorney Coppler is that the Mayor Resendiz was signing contracts while he was drunk. In all happened in one city council meeting. That was the match in my opinion that brought us to where we are at. People getting arrested, the history of corruption, all this bad stuff that a small group of individuals in power making bad choices and getting caught. It’s not that Sunland Park the whole town is corrupt it’s that there are people who are very interested in what is happening there and taking advantage of the situation. I keep bringing up Cervantes and Garcia because they should be representing or taking a side in this matter and I believe there silence is that they have made a choice. But then you bring in Segura and I like him as a person. I believe his tenure of twelve years as mayor speaks for itself as so does the amount of time that Cervantes and Garcia have dedicated to public service. The timing of the article is just one that reeks to me as a political hit piece on Segura. He has never been mentioned and as far as him going out and speaking about his tenure, well by your own admission you were motivated to say something and that is your right, but in my opinion it came out as bias.
I’ve said what I have heard out here in the trenches about Crevantes, Garcia, Moralez and Segura each of which is running in a primary that based on the data, the numbers, the winner is likely to become that Representative or Senator for these communities. I don’t know of a primary that has been so important to the people of Southern New Mexico. I do know that the Cevantes/Garcia family dynamic is pretty powerful. But this election is much different Cervantes has never had a primary challenge and from what I know he has either been appointed to the positions he has had and has only had to fend off Republican challengers in a very strong democrat district. This one he’s going to have to fight for and work harder than he ever has before and as are the other candidates. It’s getting ugly and it will probably get uglier. But let shine the light on the whole mess. I’m with you on that Heath. Who are we going to vote for in this primary? I’m not sure but we will have an opportunity for folks to meet the candidates at a forum in Mesquite on the 23rd of May to ask questions. I hope you can make it to this one Heath as I have always invited you to the ones we have done and you have kindly plugged them for in the past. I am very proud of our track record for these forums. They have and will continue to be done with respect and provide a safe place for folks to engage in a political discussion. We do not tolerate any personal attacks or disrespect to the audience members asking questions. This one will be a little different because it is a primary but this invitation will be for all the candidates, Democrats and Republicans vying for the District 31 and 52 seats. They are all invited to attend.
Arturo Uribe
Heath, keep up the good work and thanks for offering me the opportunity to write a guest column and publishing my comments.
One more thing Arturo – As has always been the case, you’re welcome to write a guest column for NMPolitics.net about this or any other issue. If you see problems with the Cervantes/Garcia family activities in Southern NM politics, you can send me a commentary about it. I’ve made the offer to you before to write a column for this site, and I’m making it again now.
I had not been much interested in this story beyond the superficial corruption and incompetence issues, but now Heath informs: “As for Cervantes – Mary Helen Garcia is his aunt. You can find several references to that in the archives on this site. And yes, Laura Garcia worked in Sunland Park and is Mary Helen Garcia’s daughter”. OMG, now I understand the huge reach and implications of this formerly “little” mess. This is far more significant than I thought about all of southern NM politics.
I admire the loyalty Arturo shows to the former mayor of Sunland Park – blind loyalty, but loyalty none the less. Just an observation.
Why write this column at all if it wasn’t written as a Senate race piece? Because there is something much bigger going on right now than a Senate race. The entire government of Sunland Park is being deconstructed. People are being arrested and booted from elected office and their jobs. Alleged corruption on an outrageous scale is being revealed. The state is preparing for the possibility of taking over some functions of a city for the first time in New Mexico history.
Residents of Sunland Park have an opportunity right now to rebuild their government into something that serves them in a way government in Sunland Park has not in a long time, if ever. Historical examination of how they got here is an important part of developing the understanding necessary to move forward in a positive way. That’s why I wrote the piece.
Segura’s response, which I asked him to write, will run Monday. His response, I believe, will also contribute to the understanding of the city’s history and will help residents move forward from here.
As for Cervantes – Mary Helen Garcia is his aunt. You can find several references to that in the archives on this site. And yes, Laura Garcia worked in Sunland Park and is Mary Helen Garcia’s daughter. Also no surprise. I haven’t written much about what happened when Andrew Moralez was Sunland Park’s city manager because I don’t know much about it. Frankly, until the recent arrests started happening, I was more focused on other issues in New Mexico politics and government. If you know something important, share it.
What I know I read in newspapers – Cervantes was brought on as a city attorney for one meeting. He advised the council that what they were doing violated the Open Meetings Act. On the flip side, some said his contract with the city wasn’t legal because it had not been ratified by the city council.
In case you missed them, here are some news articles about that:
http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2011/07/15/news/sunland-park-fires-manager-2-city-attorneys.html
http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_18519205
It was well-covered, as you can see.
Arturo, it’s no secret that one of my passions and focuses is open government. If I have an agenda, fighting for sunshine is it. I don’t believe government can serve those it’s supposed to serve unless it’s transparent and accountable to them. Sunland Park under Segura’s leadership was not transparent. I’m glad Segura is defending open government now… Maybe he’s learned. But I was not going to silently listen to him speaking publicly as though his days as mayor were filled with sunshine when it’s not true. For the city to move forward, its residents must fully understand how they got here.
Heath it’s what you don’t say that is telling. The timing of your article and the tone and statements you make are revealing, “master of the back room deal” come on Heath how do you know this? And if Segura is a master of it I can tell you then that Cervantes is the Champion. Ask our elected officials and those in position of power and they will agree with me. What I’m trying to say is that Cervantes and Segura are vying for a senate seat that whoever wins may be our next Senator. You say this wasn’t written as a Senate race piece but I disagree with you, then why write it at all? Yet you mention the race in your piece and ask that we the voters can make up our mind on Segura after you just gave your harsh and not all true opinion. I was motivated by what you are trying to tell people and by what’s not being said or done. Maybe you can write about what did happen with Moralez, Cervantes, Mary Helen Garcia and her daughter, by the way folks may or may not know that Cervantes is the nephew to Mary Helen Garcia. Tells us what happened in that “movida”, you mention a little, but I believe if you’re going to talk about Segura talk about all these politicos and why are they silent? Shouldn’t they be there for the people of Sunland?
Look at District 31 now. Cervantes base will be Las Alturas and behind A mountain. The district spreads all the way to Chaparral, Anthony and Sunland Park. I’m concerned that now that the district is divided in a way that has two very different demographic of people, those who have and those of us who don’t have. (Ie, infrastructure, roads, and jobs etc…) I hope to have Senator that can work within both those environments. It’s what you don’t say that motivated me to comment and yes Heath the fact that you did publish my comment lets us all know that you have that power to not do so, like many of us know you sometimes do. I support your blog. I gave the site money, but your starting to sound and leave an impression on me that you may have another agenda.
I’ll let Mr. Segura defend himself. As for me I believe we should be helping the folks in the community of Sunland and help rebuild and get the community back on track. This is a very important community with all the projects and money that is being invested there. We need to hold their elected officials accountable. Again, I’m asking, where are the Representative and potential Senator of Sunland Park? I saw the video you posted on this article and at least one candidate is standing up. He was right and he was a voice for those who were not allowed to speak. Now we are now dealing with an open meeting violation and now because of it those folks will get that opportunity.
Again we will have a candidate forum this May 23rd for those candidates running in District 31 and 52 we will have a chance to engage in an open forum to meet and ask questions of those candidates who are asking for our votes. Now is our time people let’s make our votes matter.
Arturo Uribe
Oh Arturo, where to begin? How much does Cervantes pay for his ad? You and everyone else can find ad rates right here:
http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/advertising-on-this-site/
So what? What are you trying to say?
You say my opinion is skewed, but not once do you say I’m wrong about Segura’s tenure. If I am, explain why. In fact, you’d have to explain how the state auditor’s office was wrong, since all I did was quote the special audit.
I even gave Segura credit for having Sunland Park’s best interest at heart.
As for Cervantes, Moralez hired him, he showed up to one meeting, disagreed with Coppler on an open meetings issue, and was promptly fired. And yes, Mary Helen’s daughter worked for Moralez when he was city manager. So what?
I didn’t say voters should pick Cervantes. I didn’t even mention Cervantes. This is not a column about the Senate race. I would not have written this column at all if Segura wasn’t going around now talking like all this never happened. In fact, I contacted Segura today and extended him an invitation to respond to my column or write a guest column on open government, Sunland Park’s history, or any other topic he wants. I hope he takes me up on that offer. I believe everyone deserves to be heard, regardless of whether I agree with them.
Which is evidenced, of course, by the fact that I published your comment.
Come on Heath your better than this. Do some homework wasn’t Cervantes vying to be the Attorney for Sunland Park some time back when Andrew Moralez was City manager and Koppler stopped that power move. What would it look like if they had succeeded? Would this have happened? Who knows, but where is Joseph Cervantes and Mary Helen Garcia and other elected officials in all this debacle? I believe Mary Helen’s daughter worked for Sunland, didn’t she? I believe we should be thinking about how we can help this community rather than just keep kicking them while there down. Your perspective is really skewed in my opinion. There are many good people in Sunland Park and you stoking the fire just leaves me to wonder what your real agenda is in all this. I plan on working with some folks I have worked with in the past in Sunland to offer how we can help. This fiasco has hurt us all as New Mexicans and you now calling out former Mayor Segura just reeks of and agenda that is more hurtful and does not help us in this matter that makes all of us from NM look bad. How much do you get from Cervantes for the Banner he has on your site? And if what you imply is true then some of these incumbents are just figure heads rather than leaders. Cervantes should be right in the middle of this if he wants to be a Senator representing this community and where’s Mary Helen Garcia? I’m glad Segura is standing up and doing what he’s doing.
I also look forward to a candidate forum for District 52 and 31 candidates on May 23rd in Mesquite and having the opportunities to meet and ask questions from all of those candidates wanting to represent us. This is our time to hold these politicians accountable.
Arturo Uribe
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