Republican picked to replace outgoing city councilor
Posted at: 12/07/2012 6:36 PM
By: Chris Ramirez, KOB Eyewitness News 4
Albuquerque Mayor Richard Merry appointed a Republican to replace outgoing Democratic City Councilor Debbie O’Malley.
The announcement came hours after O’Malley was sworn in as a Bernalillo County Commissioner.
Many Democrats had hoped that since O’Malley is a Democrat, the mayor would have appointed someone from her party. Berry instead appointed Republican Roxanna Meyers.
Isaac Benton was the other candidate the mayor was considering. Benton already serves on the City Council and lives in District-2, but through the redistricting earlier this year, he was drawn out of the boundaries of the district he represents.
"Councilor Isaac Benton is currently in District-3,” Berry said. “There was a potential in putting Benton in District-2 and bringing in someone from District 3 or replacing Councilor O’Malley in District 2. I really had no preference going in. I wanted to see who came forward and I think hands down Roxanna was the most proactive person."
"I think it makes sense to appoint Councilor Benton to my seat because of redistricting, he really was elected to represent half of the district that stands now," said O’Malley.
The newly appointed City Councilor Roxanna Meyers is a business owner and has participated in many civic organizations in the city.
Meyers will join the full City Council during the regularly scheduled December 17th meeting.
Commissioner O’Malley will join her fellow Bernalillo County Commissioners at their next meeting.
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