MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

March 2025

I hope this newsletter finds you well. I wanted to share some important updates about our beautiful village and upcoming developments that will benefit our community.

First, I’m pleased to announce that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will soon begin an important recovery project along the Rio Ruidoso. NRCS and Village representatives will be reaching out to property owners along the river to obtain Right of Entry agreements. This crucial step will allow them to begin the necessary work of de-silting our river. This project is essential for maintaining the health of our waterway and protecting our community from potential flooding issues. If you receive a Right of Entry request, I encourage you to cooperate with the NRCS/VOR teams so we can move forward with this vital clean-up of our post-fire river system.

In addition, the New Mexico Department of Emergency Management has a representative stationed at Village Hall to assist residents that are still in need of a debris removal service. The service is offered at no cost to private property owners that have been affected. If you have not already done so, please enroll in this program so that we can get debris cleaned up. Please be sure to share information with your friends and neighbors.

On another note, we’re eagerly anticipating the arrival of our Spring Break visitors. As many of you know, this time of year brings thousands of visitors to our mountain community, and we’re ready to welcome them with our signature Ruidoso hospitality. These visitors contribute significantly to our local economy, supporting our restaurants, shops, lodgers, and various attractions. Their presence creates seasonal job opportunities and generates important tax revenue that helps fund vital community services and improvements.

I encourage all our residents and business owners to join me in making our visitors feel welcome. When our guests have a positive experience, they’re more likely to return throughout the year and recommend Ruidoso to their friends and family. This word-of-mouth promotion is invaluable for our community’s continued growth and prosperity.

With wildfire season approaching, I want to emphasize the critical importance of protecting your homes and properties against potential fire threats. Now is the time to create defensible space around your structures by clearing vegetation, removing dead branches and leaves, and keeping gutters clean. Make sure your address is clearly visible from the street to assist emergency responders and have an evacuation plan ready for your family. These preventive measures are essential for protecting not only your property but our entire community.

As always, don’t forget to tune in to KRUI 1490 AM for Mondays with the Mayor every Monday morning from 8:00 – 10:00 AM. We always have a lot of information to talk about during this time, and we are available to answer your questions, so be sure to call in or text us.

Until next time, remember to be kind and be a good neighbor!

Mayor Lynn Crawford