OPINION: Why a small-town mayor fought the New Mexico State Ethics Commission

Public service in a small town is supposed to be about helping your neighbors. Lately, it feels more like stepping into a firing squad.

Last week the Journal ran a story about my case with the New Mexico State Ethics Commission. The article noted the reporter reached out for comment, but the reality is I was given about an hour to respond before publication. When I didn’t see the request in that short window, the paper printed that I had no comment. My response was added later online, but by then the print edition had already gone out, leaving readers with only one side of the story.

Here’s the part that gets lost.

Nearly two years ago, the New Mexico State Ethics Commission filed a complaint against me over the process of how the village of Angel Fire allocated lodgers tax revenue — money that must be spent promptly, or the state can take it back. We acted to keep those dollars in our community, supporting tourism and local jobs.

Earlier this month, a jury determined the process we used violated the procurement code. Most public officials in my position would have never been sitting in the courtroom. They would have written a $1,000 check, paid the fine and moved on. But paying the fine doesn’t make the issue disappear. It leaves a permanent headline: “Ethics violation.” In our harsh political times opponents don’t mention the context, only the accusation.

I chose to fight instead. It cost me thousands of dollars. That’s not something most small-town mayors can afford to do, and that’s the larger problem.

When ethics complaints are pursued this aggressively and when media coverage focuses almost entirely on the accusation, it sends a message to people across New Mexico who might otherwise consider serving their communities. 

Don’t.

State agencies should work with local officials to get things right. If a process needs tightening, fix it. Provide guidance. But dragging small-town leaders through lengthy legal fights over good-faith decisions discourages public service and erodes trust.

Small-town leaders aren’t career politicians. We’re neighbors trying to solve problems and keep our towns alive. Tourism revenue, local jobs and community stability often depend on decisions made by people volunteering their time to serve.

If the reward for that service is legal bills, public accusations and headlines written before your side of the story is heard, it shouldn’t surprise anyone when good people decide it isn’t worth it.

Oversight matters. Ethics matter. So does fairness and common sense.

I stood up because paying a fine would have implied wrongdoing where I believe none existed. If my fight helps prevent future officials from being pressured into accepting a stain on their record just to avoid financial ruin, then it was worth it.

New Mexico deserves an ethics system that targets corruption, not one that punishes good-faith governance.

B.J. Lindsey is the mayor of Angel Fire.