A Public Hearing Regarding A Private Family Dispute
The March 12, 2025 meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners focused on a family dispute appealed from the Board of Planning and Zoning. The Candelaria Family brought before the County Commission an appeal of a decision of the Torrance County Planning and Zoning Board regarding the burial of US Army Sergeant Major Antonio Candelaria on the family's ranch in Manzano. Antonio's children and nephew stated it was the intention of Antonio and his brother, former Torrance County Commissioner Leroy Candelaria (also deceased), that the brothers be buried on family land. Leroy's widow, Concha Candelaria, stated that she did not want her brother-in-law buried on the land and indicated, although she did not say, that she intended to have his body exhumed. Planning and Zoning Director Don Goen stated that the family property was not legally protected as a cemetery or registered as a cemetery site with the State of New Mexico. Goen also said that while the deed for the property did not reflect Leroy Candelaria's ownership interest in the property, it was believed that his father deeded the property equally to Leroy and his brother Antonio.
Concha Candelaria, Leroy's widow, stated that her husband never wanted his brother to be buried on the land but did not document this wish. "They [Antonio's family] never helped on the ranch," Concha explained, noting that the family lived near Atlanta, Georgia. Commissioner Ryan Schwebach returned to questioning Antonio's children, learning that Antonio had already been buried on the property for 22 years. Antonio's son-in-law, Keith Graziano, asserted that there was no documented evidence supporting Concha's claim that Leroy did not want Antonio buried on the property. Anthony Candelaria, the son of Leroy and Concha, agreed with Keith, saying that it was always the intention of the former commissioner and his brother that the two would be buried on the property.
Commissioner Schwebach, in what appeared to be an attempt to calm both sides, asked the parties if they believed that the matter could be settled through an agreement. Antonio Candelaria's children said that they believed this was possible. Concha Candelaria disagreed, saying, "I don't want that family there. Neither did Leroy."
Commissioner Schwebach and Commissioner Linda Jaramillo conferred, noting that Concha occupied the ranch property. The two commissioners voted unanimously in favor of Concha Candelaria (Commissioner Kevin McCall was not present at the meeting). While neither party expressed their post-determination intentions, it is possible for the matter to be brought before the New Mexico District Courts for resolution.
Following the public hearing on the appeal of the Candelaria Planning and Zoning Board decision, the County Commissioners approved three resolutions (R. 2025-11 through 2025-13) seeking New Mexico Department of Transportation funding for road improvements on Alan Ayers Road in Estancia, Charlie Breckenridge Road in Moriarty, and Spangler Road in Estancia. The two present commissioners also unanimously approved the county's entrance into the collective bargaining agreement with the local firefighters' union, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 5441.
Commissioner Jaramillo, during the commissioners' reports section of the meeting, discussed her concerns regarding how House Bill 9, titled the Immigrant Safety Act, had passed the New Mexico House of Representatives (it is currently in committee with the Senate). House Bill 9 would (1) block counties from entering into agreements with private prisons or Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for the housing of immigration detainees and (2) require counties with preexisting agreements with ICE and private prisons to terminate those agreements. This measure targets the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF) and the Otero County Processing Center (OCPC). Jaramillo expressed concern regarding the potential closure of the TCDF. Jaramillo also discussed a fire that occurred yesterday in Punta de Agua. She noted that residents in Manzano had requested a pumper/tanker fire truck be stationed in the area. In the Zoom chat window, Torrance County Deputy Fire Chief Hanna Sanchez wrote a message stating her opposition to locating a fire truck in Manzano. Jaramillo said that five residents of Manzano had been certified in wildland firefighting and that Manzano had designated a location to house the truck.
The County Commission meeting concluded with the two commissioners entering into executive session to discuss applications for the Torrance County Fire Chief position.