City of Carlsbad prepares for new year with new leadership in mayor and city council
The City of Carlsbad welcomed its new mayor and two new city councilors Thursday at the Janell Whitlock Municipal Complex.
Eddy County Magistrate Judge Kellie Calicoat administered the oath of office to Mayor Richard Lopez, Ward 3 City Councilor Mary Garwood and Ward 4 City Councilor Anthony Foreman.
Current Ward 1 City Councilor Lisa Anaya-Flores and Ward 2 City Councilor J.J. Chavez were also administered oaths by Calicoat for another four-year term.
Before the swearing in ceremony, Calicoat said members of the city council were persons with a mixture of municipal and private sector experience.
“Take the torch and move forward into 2024 and beyond,” he said.
Elections for mayor and city council were held on Nov. 7 in Carlsbad. Lopez succeeds outgoing Mayor Dale Janway who decided not to seek another term.
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Garwood will take the seat held by Judith Waters and Foreman replaces Wes Carter. Waters and Carter decided not to run for another term.
Lopez and the new and returning councilors start their terms Jan. 1.
After the ceremony, Janway congratulated Lopez and the new councilors.
“We’ve had an outstanding council,” he said. “The city is in good shape financially. Keep the city going great.”
Lopez outlines goals for the next four years
The incoming mayor said he was honored and humbled while taking the oath to lead the City of Carlsbad.
He was congratulated by Janway, family members, city employees and others during Thursday’s ceremony.
“The people worked hard to get me here and I’m ready to move forward to do what I’ve been elected to do,” Lopez said.
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He retired at the end of 2022 having served as fire chief for the City of Carlsbad for nearly 20 years.
Lopez said prior experience in city government has helped during the transition phase that started after he was elected nearly two months ago.
“I understand the city’s budget. I understand the city’s procurement and the rules. So, I don’t have to learn that part which anytime we deal with government money is difficult sometimes to grasp. So, I’ve got a good handle on that as we move forward,” he said.
Lopez has also spent time meeting with city administrators, city staff and business and industrial leaders in the community.
“For the next four years I plan on bringing back a lot more to the city. I promised a safer and cleaner Carlsbad and that’s what we’re going to move forward doing,” he said.
Lopez said he believes short-term and long-term planning will help achieve those goals.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Rick Lopez sworn in as new mayor for Carlsbad starting in 2024
