Editor’s note: This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
Loving Mayor Pete Estrada resigned Monday the Village of Loving announced in a Facebook post the same day.
Estrada served as Loving’s Mayor for 16 years and was a Village Councilor for four years, the social media post stated.
Loving Mayor Pro Tem Rick Fuentes will step into the leadership position.
Loving Councilman Jackie Onsurez said he sought input for the New Mexico Municipal League on how the Village should proceed to fill the vacancy.
According to Onsurez, the four-man council will select someone from among them to fill the mayor’s seat until the current term expires in November. The mayor’s position would then be open for election to qualified candidates.
The resulting vacant seat on the council would be filled by nomination and appointment.
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The Carlsbad Current-Argus attempted to reach Fuentes and Village of Loving Clerk Manuel Garza for comment. Both men were unavailable at the time.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at [email protected] or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
