New city officers sworn in

New elected officers were sworn in by District Judge Conrad Perea Monday at a ceremony preceding the final scheduled city council session of the year. During the meeting, other officers said farewell.

Mayor-elect Eric Enriquez took his oath of office along with incoming city councilors Cassie McClure (District 1) and Bill Mattiace (District 2), Councilor Johana Bencomo for her second term representing District 4 and Municipal Judge Anthony Filosa.

Mattiace is returning to the city council, having served first as a councilor and then as mayor 20 years ago. Mattiace went on to serve as director of the New Mexico Border Authority for eight years.

Every seat in the chamber was full and spectators stood in a ring around the back of the room as Perea administered the oath to each officer.

Watching from the dais was Mayor Ken Miyagishima, about to chair his final council meeting, ribbing Enriquez that he would keep the key to his office right through Dec. 31, when his fourth term ends. Las Cruces’ longest-serving mayor yet, has held the office since 2007. He did not seek reelection this year.

Miyagishima, a 52-year resident of Las Cruces per his bio on the city website, served on the board of Doña Ana County commissioners from 1992 to 2000 before being elected to the city council, where he served from 2001 to 2007. Aside from continuing to operate his insurance business, Miyagishima has spoken little of his future plans.

Two councilors also offered goodbyes as they were presented with service awards: District 2 Councilor Tessa Abeyta said in a brief address that she had initially run for the council to advocate for soccer facilities. After narrowly losing a bid for a second term to Mattiace, Abeyta is moving on to her new post as Sheriff Kim Stewart’s undersheriff.  Kasandra Gandara (District 1), elected in 2015, gave up her seat to run for mayor and lost to Enriquez. First-time candidate McClure won the contest to succeed Gandara.

The outgoing mayor received a proclamation commending his years as mayor, to which he cheekily asked who had signed it, and was also presented with a city flag by police honor guard.

Over the years, and particularly with the present council, Miyagishima has found himself the lone “yea” or “nay” on a few votes, and with tongue in cheek he put himself in that position one last time on a roll call vote to adjourn Monday’s meeting, voting “no.”