New Mexico border village sees anger over new mayor’s moves

The mayor of a New Mexico border village is facing criticism amid recent firing, budget irregularities and allegations of open meetings violations.

The Deming Headlight reports Columbus, New Mexico, Mayor Esequiel Salas faced angry residents last week in a meeting filled with several interruptions and loud heckling.

The rage came after Salas abruptly fired the village’s municipal clerk and public works director and did not say why.

An agenda about a Columbus Village Council meeting also to have been botched with hand written corrections that some residents say violated the state’s open meetings laws.

The mayor also has faced scrutiny for proposed cuts to various programs.

Salas blamed the previous administration for budget problems.

___