Mondays with the Mayor
August 3, 2026: Guests and Topics Discussed
Mayor Lynn Crawford, Village Manager Ron Sena & Deputy Village Manager Heath Dobrovolny – Previewed Tuesday’s Village Council meeting and workshop, including discussion of a proposal regarding the use of private vehicles on the airport runway and a recommendation to restrict Gate 6 access to emergency vehicles only.
Eric Queller, Emergency Manager – Recapped weekend storm activity, explaining that the timing of the weather system helped minimize flooding risks. He also discussed the severe wildfires affecting the Pacific Northwest, particularly near Spokane, Washington, and noted that Saturday’s scheduled outdoor warning siren test was canceled because of forecasted dangerous weather.
Levi Beaty, Public Works Director – Reported that water line replacement work began on Resort Drive and is expected to continue for the next couple of weeks. He also provided updates on paving projects in White Mountain Meadows and along the 603 Mechem corridor.
Fire Chief Cade Hall – Addressed public concerns about the planned closure of Gavilan Canyon Road and Warrior Drive, explaining that staff are evaluating alternate routes to ensure emergency vehicles maintain reliable access during construction.
Matthew Baird, Parks & Recreation Director – Clarified that Grindstone Lake remained open over the weekend despite parking areas reaching capacity, which led some visitors to mistakenly believe the lake had closed. He also highlighted upcoming Parks and Recreation activities, including the final public swim day at the Village pool on Saturday and the annual Pooch Party on Sunday.
Eddie Ryan, Manager of Events & Strategic Partnerships – Shared highlights from weekend premieres of the locally produced films The Vessel and Woman at the Well by Jacob McCaw. He also discussed ongoing conversations with the Dods Diving League and other organizations about future event opportunities in Ruidoso.
Stephanie Long, Wingfield Heritage House Curator – Announced the August Time Turners Book Club selection, Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History-Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman, and encouraged community participation.
Logan Fleharty, Party in the Park Organizer – Promoted the Big Ben Sanchez Party in the Park on August 9 at All American Park in Ruidoso Downs, featuring a car show, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and skateboarding competition.
Police Chief Steve Minner – Provided an update on a nuisance bear frequently seen around Two Rivers Park and discussed several drug overdose calls from the previous week, emphasizing the ongoing dangers posed by opioid and fentanyl use.