A Special Election is allowing Edgewood to choose Commission-Manager form of government. All registered Voters in Edgewood will receive a mail-in ballot in early August. The Commission-Manager form of government has many advantages and additional rights for citizens.
The Commission-Manager system was designed to combat corruption and unethical activity in local government by promoting effective management within a transparent, responsive, and accountable structure. About half of U.S. cities and towns with populations of 2,500 residents or more operate under the Commission-Manager form of town management. Studies show that there is a 57% reduction in corruption in towns with this form of government. Costs are actually reduced due to professional and efficient management.
Myth: Shouldn’t our leaders be elected?
FACT: The Commission IS elected to lead our town. A Town Manager is an experienced professional hired to run day-to-day operations, focus on community priorities, and manage finances and staff. A Town Manager takes the politics out of town operations.
Myth: We can’t afford a Town Manager?
FACT: We can’t afford to continue without one! A Town Manager costs $80-90K/yr + benefits. Our rogue mayor has raised taxes, wasted millions on pet projects to benefit his family NOT the community, and another $100K on EPCOR-related legal fees so far. It’s time to end such abuse.
Myth: Is it true was can only vote for one commissioner, not all five? 
FACT: Districting is only required when a town/city reaches 10,000 population (regardless of government type). Edgewood has 6,000 people so we’d still vote for all commissioners. (READ: Attorney VanAmberg’s legal opinion – Districting)
Myth: Doesn’t the town have to own the water system to grow businesses?
FACT: Edgewood water needs are easily handled by EPCOR USA, which also manages water systems in major southwest cities. They provide safe reliable water, infrastructure, and system resources the town could never afford without raising our taxes. EPCOR has a 70 year water supply secured here and can bank more. The town has zero experience in the water business, yet it wants to spend $20M+ in costs for a hostile takeover when facts show that leads to water rate hikes of double to triple current rates, consumers lose PRC protections, and property taxes soar to pay the debt service. All that just to take a water system that’s already serving us well without those added costs. Where’s the sense in that? (https://truthfromthetap.com/)
Myth: Our current town government is good enough, why change it?
FACT: The current system has been easily manipulated by this mayor and we’re stuck with the bill. Currently, Edgewood citizens are helpless to stop his $13M pet project, his $20M hostile takeover attempt, his tantrums and attacks on councilors and citizens who disagree with him. A Commission-Manager government gives citizens super power rights of recall, referendum, and initiative. We could stop bad legislation, stop bad projects, and stop bad politicians.
Why not just vote them out? When Council extended their own terms by nearly two years (in a rushed, questionable vote where both options weren’t discussed/considered) it effectively denied voters that chance. A regular election should have already happened. We need to stop this insanity. Citizens should decide what happens with our taxes and our town, not a self-serving mayor.
This 3-minute video – Local Government the Works provides an excellent e
xplanation of the many benefits of Commission-Manager form of government (referred to in the video as council-manager). It is the overall concept that matters, the terminology is interchangeable (no different then New Mexico saying MVD, but other states say DMV).
You are welcome to print and distribute this informational flyer your friends and neighbors): Commission-Manager Fact vs Myth flyer
REGISTER TO VOTE or update your Voter Information (by July 27):
https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/InstructionsStep1.aspx
